"The mere thought hadn't even begun to speculate about the merest possibility of crossing my mind"

In this spirited quote by Douglas Adams, the author uses exaggeration to communicate a sense of the complete lack of anticipation or factor to consider. The expression "simple thought" indicates a minimal level of cognitive engagement, suggesting that the idea or topic in concern is so remote that it hasn't even settled in the author's mind. By including, "had not even begun to hypothesize about the merest possibility," Adams amplifies the lack of mental expedition, emphasizing the extensive remoteness of the thought. The quote humorously underscores the insignificance or irrelevance of the subject, emphasizing its nonexistence in the author's psychological landscape.