Britons say ‘sorry’ in 15 different ways – but which one really means genuine regret?
The only time a ‘sorry’ expresses true regret
- Academics have found that Britons use the word "sorry" in as many as 15 different ways.
- Only one of these uses expresses true regret, which is when someone is genuinely sorry to hear another person's bad news.
- The term "sorry" is frequently employed as a social lubricant, for politeness, or to ease awkward situations, rather than as a literal apology.
- This unique multifunctionality of "sorry" can cause confusion for foreigners who might assume a genuine apology is being made.
- A previous survey suggested Britons say "sorry" on average up to nine times a day.