Non-apology apology

"I'm sorry you feel that way" redirects here. For the stand-up comedy film by Bill Burr, see I'm Sorry You Feel That Way.

A non-apology apology, sometimes called a backhanded apology, empty apology, nonpology, or fauxpology,[1][2] is a statement in the form of an apology that does not express remorse for what was done or said, or assigns fault to those ostensibly receiving the apology.[3] It is common in politics and public relations.[3]

For instance, saying "I'm sorry you feel that way" to someone who has been offended by a statement is a non-apology apology. It does not admit there was anything wrong with the remarks made, and may imply the person took offense for hypersensitive or irrational reasons. Another form of non-apology does not apologize directly to the injured or insulted party, but generically "to anyone who might have been offended".[4]

Statements of pseudo-apology that do not communicate responsibility for words or deeds may be meaningful expressions of regret, but such statements can also be used to elicit forgiveness without acknowledging fault.[5]

  1. ^ Mark Leigh (2016). How to Talk Teen: From Asshat to Zup, the Totes Awesome Dictionary of Teenage Slang. Little, Brown Book Group. pp. 170–171. ISBN 978-1-4721-3745-6.
  2. ^ Susan Milligan (May 17, 2016). "Non-Pology: Sanders Condemns Violence, but Not His Supporters". U.S. News & World Report.
  3. ^ a b Eisinger, Robert M. (1 March 2011). "The Political Non-Apology". Society. 48 (2): 136–141. doi:10.1007/s12115-010-9409-0. ISSN 1936-4725. S2CID 145189514.
  4. ^ Doucette, Elisa (November 30, 2014). "The Art Of Online Apologies And Why Elizabeth Lauten Failed Miserably At Hers". Forbes. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  5. ^ Lazare, Aaron (2004). On Apology. Oxford University Press. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-19-518911-7.