Some songwriters have made whole careers out of this…

10 famous apologies remembered (even if not believed)

Image: Steve DiMatteo

From solemn and historical gestures to lighthearted expressions, apologies can take many forms. These very forms can determine whether the apology is accepted and believed or dismissed as false and insincere. The following ten examples, taken from different times in history, show us how to apologize properly—and how not to.

Image: Léonard Cotte

Galileo Galilei’s affirmation and publications supporting the notion that the Earth wasn’t at the center of the Universe were contrary to what the Bible might suggest. As a result, the Inquisition not only restricted Galileo from publishing his works that may support ideas deemed blasphemous by the Church but also had him imprisoned. The order was later changed to house arrest.

In 1992, 359 years after the incident, Pope John Paul II declared that Galileo wasn’t wrong. Maybe not an apology per se, but at least it was something, right?

Image: Eddie Wingertsahn

Not every apology needs to be expressed in words. In 1077, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV traveled across the Alps to beg for Pope Gregory VII's forgiveness. Only after three days of kneeling in the snow did Henry finally convince the Pontiff to welcome him back into the Catholic Church.

Henry IV had been excommunicated in the first place for usurping the Pope's authority and appointing his own bishops, a practice that was highly frowned upon at the time.

Image: Fine Photographics

The earliest apology showcased on this list belongs to Socrates, whose words were immortalized by Plato in a famous essay. It recounts how Socrates defended himself against charges of corrupting Athens’ youth and blaspheming local gods with his philosophical teachings.

While Socrates' speech is a classic, a jury of his peers remained unconvinced and he was found guilty and sentenced to death. Plato quotes Socrates as saying at his sentencing: "The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways—I to die, and you to live. Which is better, God only knows." Once again, so much for saying "I'm sorry."

Image: René DeAnda

Bill Clinton’s address to the nation on Aug. 17, 1998, is probably the most public acknowledgment of presidential misconduct in U.S. history. "Indeed I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong... I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that."

He confessed to an improper relationship with an intern but sought to put an end to the scandal, defiantly insisting that "even Presidents have private lives." It wasn't to be. Interest among the press, the public, and even Congress ultimately led to the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history.

Image: Chris Boland

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a contrite apology for attending a Downing Street garden party while the country was under a strict coronavirus lockdown. He insisted that the gathering was a work event and did not breach government regulations on social mixing during the early days of the pandemic. "I want to apologize. I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules. There were things we simply did not get right, and I must take that responsibility," Johnson said.

The apology might have brought Johnson some political breathing room but, in the end, it did little to dispel the rage because he eventually resigned from his post.

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Martha Stewart, the celebrity homemaker and media personality, was convicted in 2004 for lying to investigators about a stock sale and was sentenced to five months in prison.

While she sought to downplay the conviction as a "small personal matter," Martha was also contrite about its impact. "Today is a shameful day," she said. "It’s shameful for me, and for my family, and my beloved company, and all of its employees and partners."

Image: Yevheniia

When the German Chancellor Willy Brandt was scheduled to visit the Polish capital of Warsaw to sign the Treaty of Warsaw and formally recognize the border between Poland and East Germany in 1970, it was not expected of him to carry the guilt or the need to make amends for the actions of Nazi Germany during the war.

But, when he walked up to the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw, he took a moment to himself and promptly got on both his knees. This gesture probably helped his achievements as West Germany’s Chancellor which led him to the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.

Image: Andrew Le

Everyone has seen or heard about the infamous slap Will Smith delivered to Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Mr. Rock was presenting the ceremony and made a joke about Jada Pinkett’s hair—Will Smith’s wife—, to which Smith took offense. He proceeded to stand up, walk to the stage, and slap Chris Rock in the face.

What made matters even more awkward was the fact that Will Smith had to walk onstage just a few moments later, to receive a Best Actor award and deliver his acceptance speech. He apologized during his speech and has since issued at least one public apology video expressing his regret for the incident.

Image: Mario Serpas

In June 2015, France's Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal said on French television that people should avoid eating Nutella because it is made with palm oil. She noted that palm oil plantations contribute to deforestation and climate change. But, after her comments, the Italian manufacturers of Nutella responded that their products were created with palm oil from sustainable plantations.

Italian politicians called on Royal to apologize and she eventually did. "A thousand apologies for the row over Nutella," Royal said on Twitter. "Okay to showcase progress."

Image: Stephen Mease

Kanye West, the rapper, made headlines in 2009 when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, saying: "Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you, I’ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!" West was heavily criticized for cutting her off and ruining her winning moment.

He later issued an apology to Swift and her mother: "I’m sooooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mum. I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would’ve said. She is very talented! I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she’s in the bleachers! I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment! I’m not crazy y’all, I’m just real. Sorry for that!!! I really feel bad for Taylor and I’m sincerely sorry!!! Much respect!!!"

Your words can date you

From woofits to cap: 12 slang words that define each generation

Slang has always been a fun way to express ourselves and reflect the vibe of a particular time. Over the years, different phrases have come and gone, often capturing the era's spirit. Some words may have seemed normal back in the day, but now sound totally out of place. Take a look at 12 of these idioms. Do you remember your grandparents using any of these?

The 1910s are filled with evocative terms for describing feelings of depression, and one such term is woofits. This term was used to describe a low or uneasy feeling. The term was popularized by pilots during WWI to describe the "dread disease" of depression or physical sickness after excessive partying.

It could be triggered by a variety of causes, from overindulging in alcohol to simply not getting enough rest. The term continued to be used into the 1920s and beyond to describe feelings of melancholy or physical discomfort.

This expression was used to describe the pain of unrequited love or a one-sided crush. It is a phrase that could easily make a comeback among modern-day romantics. The association of torches with love dates back to Greek and Roman wedding traditions, where a torch lit at the bride's family chimney was used to light the fire in her new home.

The expression exploded in popularity during the 1920s alongside the rise of "torch songs". These were sentimental ballads, often performed by female jazz singers known as "torch singers", that lamented lost or unreturned love.

If you find yourself stuck with tedious or meaningless work, try calling it a "boondoggle." It’s a slang term that describes a frivolous waste of time.

The word boondoggle may have originated from American scoutmaster Robert H. Link, who used it to describe the braided leather tassels worn by Boy Scouts. This meaning gained popularity in the 1920s, and by the mid-1930s, it had evolved into its current usage.

If you've ever encountered someone who works tirelessly, you might call them an "eager beaver." While the phrase references the industrious beaver, known for constructing watertight dams and elaborate lodges with multiple underwater entrances, it gained popularity not by the river, but during World War II.

According to a 1942 dispatch, the term referred to a soldier "imbued with the desire to please his superiors" by tackling unpleasant tasks that his peers would rather avoid.

This phrase has evolved and can be understood in different ways. But, in the 1950s, if someone was "cruisin' for a bruisin'," they were essentially looking for trouble or an excuse to start a fight.

The term describes someone who was cruising around in search of a violent altercation with potential bruises as a result.

This adjective, originating from jazz, is used to describe something amazing or downright strange that is situated far away from the normal range.

It gained significant popularity in the 1950s and ’60s, especially among hippies and beatniks who were into jazz music, and embraced it as part of their cultural lexicon.

A jive turkey refers to someone who is insincere, deceitful, or dishonest, essentially, a person who can't be trusted. The term carries strong connotations of untrustworthiness and duplicity.

Interestingly, the word jive on its own, used as an adjective, has been around since the 1940s with the same negative meaning, long before it was paired with "turkey" to form the full expression.

During the 1980s, when someone said "bad," they might have meant something good. It’s similar to how people use "sick" to describe something impressive or cool.

The term gained popularity in such form thanks in large part to Michael Jackson’s hit song "Bad", but it had been used for over a century in Black American culture. Linguists suggest the inversion might stem from West African languages like Mandingo or Hausa, where negative terms are often used emphatically to describe positive extremes (e.g., "it is good badly" meaning "it is very good").

During the 1990s, the term "fly" was used to describe someone stylish, attractive, or just generally impressive. For example, someone might have said, "Check out my new sunglasses, they’re so fly."

Back in the 2000s, the word "sketchy" started being used to describe someone or something that seemed suspicious or untrustworthy. It quickly became a go-to term for calling out shady behavior or situations.

The phrase "first-world problem" became popular in the 2010s as a humorous way to highlight minor frustrations or complaints that come with a life of relative comfort, especially when compared to more serious issues faced in less privileged situations.

The term "to cap" basically means to lie. It’s often used when someone is being dishonest ("he’s capping") or, on the flip side, to emphasize honesty by saying "no cap," meaning you’re telling the truth.