what is the origin of the word 'apologise'?

Question

Oh for God's sake Americans, learn to spell. You speak ENGLISH remember? well, obviously not.

thanks for the answers relating to Apologia. Just wondered if that word was related to Apollo originally? And if so why?

haha rukidding, you got proper het up about that didn't you! clever little you. Now go get a sense of humour - oh sorry, I forgot, you're American.

Answer 1

The correct form is "apologize". It has Greek origin. It is a compound word "απολογούμαι"(apologume), the act of saying the reason for doing something.

Answer 2

Apologia was the Greek word for defence. Example: Plato's "Apologia Sokratous", translated "Defence of Sokrates". The general idea of an apology is that you express regret and at the same time offer some form of excuse or explanation for what you did (or failed to do). Cardinal Newman wrote a famous book called "Apologia Pro Vita Sua" using the same word in Latin (derived from the Greek, as so much Latin was) as an explanation of the course his life had taken. (I wouldn't recommend it for light reading!)

Answer 3

It was not until the 18th century that "apologise" seriously took on the meaning of "a frank expression of regret for wrong done". Before that, its meaning was closer to the Latin and the original Greek, apologia, where apo (from, off) and logos (speech) combine to produce an account mounted in defence or justification. In modern terms, think of the closing argument of the defence lawyer.

Answer 4

It is from the Latin "apologia." Apologia means explanation or justification rather than expression of regret. The modern term "apologetics" refers to efforts to explain why one's religion is believable from a rational point of view. I don't know how or why "apology" came to mean an expression of regret instead of a rational justification of one's position. But some people do apologize that way: "I'm sorry, but I had to do it and I was within my rights..."

Answer 5

For one thing, we DO know how to spell! THAT answerer may not know that the English spell things differently than we do, but not all of us are that ignorant nor are some of us so ignorant as to make such an arrogant generalization. However, since you want to be so arrogant, you may be interested to know that one does not use single quotation marks unless they are used within double quotation marks. Further, the end punctuation goes inside the quotation marks, not outside them. Since we Americans don't know how to spell, I guess you didn't figure we'd know punctuation and grammar, either.

Oh, and the origin of the word "apologize?" I suggest googling the word's etymology. I can understand why you're asking about that word, though; you must need to use it a lot.

Answer 6

Near as I can figure, it means either A) an excuse, based on public law, or B) an expression of sorrow, sympathy or apathy.

Got this from Merriam-Webster:

Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek, from apo- + logos speech -- more at LEGEND
1 a : a formal justification : DEFENSE b : EXCUSE 2a
2 : an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret
3 : a poor substitute : MAKESHIFT
synonyms APOLOGY, APOLOGIA, EXCUSE, PLEA, PRETEXT, ALIBI mean matter offered in explanation or defense. APOLOGY usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances . APOLOGIA implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position . EXCUSE implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure . PLEA stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy . PRETEXT suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation . ALIBI implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation .


And BTW, I'm aware that "apologiSe" and "apologiZe" are equally acceptable, based on the country you live in.

Answer 7

I think it comes from 'apologia' which sounds either greek or latin, and it means 'explanation' or something.

Answer 8

jvsconcul and Irene are both correct
απο + λογοσ.
logos means actually // reason// I can't remember the απο. Plenty of Greek language starts with απο e.t.c

Answer 9

i'm italian so for me is more easy give to you an answer:
APOLOGISE =APOLOGHI'A from the ancient greeck...in this language it was meaning "celebration of someone".I hope that I'm helping you....sorry for my english :-)

Answer 10

it's from ancient greek (and later on, latin too):
apò = about /concerning...
logè= discourse

So, literally this means: precisation about your discourse and therefore, apologize!