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Sorry Excuse

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "sorry excuse" is a common saying used to call something worthless, pitiful, or no good. Usually said as "a sorry excuse for"" to drive home disappointment.

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #DialectandGrammar   #Southern   #ScoldingandTeasing

Pronunciation

[SAHR-ee ik-SKEWS]

Meaning & Usage

- Pitiful, worthless example (saying)

At the table
Mae:
This is a sorry excuse for supper.

Earl:
Ain’t my fault the beans burned.

- Failure of character (saying)

Talking about a neighbor
Mae:
He’s a sorry excuse for a man.

Earl:
Lazy as the day is long.

variations: sorry excuse for
★ "Sorry excuse" isn’t polite - it’s a cutting phrase folks use when they’re sorely let down by something or someone. ★

Origin and Etymology

Rooted in the Southern/Appalachian use of "sorry" to mean pitiful or worthless. Adding "excuse" sharpened it into a phrase, especially common in the 19th and 20th centuries to describe bad food, tools, or people.

Usage Notes

Still widely used in Appalachia and across the South. Often heard with "for a"" tagged on the end, making it a flexible insult or complaint.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it sharp: "sarry ’scuse." The "for" is often dropped or softened: "sorry excuse of a"" → "sarry ’scuse of a""

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Is it always negative?
Yes - "sorry excuse" means pitiful, worthless, or no good.
Can it describe food as well as people?
Absolutely. It’s used for meals, tools, weather, or people.
Is it the same as just "sorry"?
Close - "sorry" is the root word, but "sorry excuse" makes it sharper and more colorful as a saying.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 10). Sorry Excuse. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sorry-excuse
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Sorry Excuse." HillbillySlang.com, 10 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sorry-excuse.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Sorry Excuse." HillbillySlang.com. September 10, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/sorry-excuse.
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