shrimped

Shrimped is the past tense and past participle of the verb shrimp. In one sense, it means to turn pink or flushed, particularly from cold, although the expression is also sometimes understood as becoming red-faced through exertion or embarrassment. In its other sense, shrimped refers to catching shrimp or fishing for them. The form is uncommon, but it preserves two older, distinct uses of the verb: one connected with gathering shrimp and another describing a pink coloration associated with cold. The colour sense gives the word its memorable image, since cold weather can make exposed skin appear bright pink. Although shrimped is grammatically straightforward, it is most often encountered in descriptions of weather, outdoor activity, or informal accounts of someone’s appearance. Speakers may also use the shorter present form shrimp for both activities and states.

The past tense and past participle of shrimp: to catch shrimp or to turn pink, especially from cold or exertion.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does shrimped come from?

The form shrimped derives from the verb shrimp, which developed from the Middle English word for the crustacean. Early uses of the verb included catching or gathering shrimp, while a separate verbal use came to describe becoming or turning pink. The standard past tense and past participle are formed by adding the usual inflectional ending to the short verb.

How shrimped is actually used

This is a relatively uncommon form. The sense of turning pink or flushed is especially associated with British and American informal or dialectal usage.