sorry
No-good, pitiful, or low-quality — not an apology.
Also called no-count, no account.
Updated September 24, 2026
sorry pronunciation
/SAHR-ee/
Meaning
When somebody in the rural South or Appalachia calls a person, dog, crop, or excuse sorry, they are not asking for forgiveness. They mean worthless, lazy, shabby, or not worth the trouble. It can land soft as a tease or hard as a real cut, depending on the tone. Cousin to no-count.
How folks use it
- “That sorry truck broke down again before we hit the blacktop.”
- “Don't hire him. He's a sorry worker and always late.”
Origin and etymology
Old English roots tied to sore and wretched. By the 1500s, sorry already meant pitiful. In Southern and South Midland speech, DARE records it as inferior or worthless for people, animals, and everyday junk. The apology sense still exists, but this judgment sense is the one that sticks in redneck talk.
Frequently asked questions
Does sorry always mean you're apologizing?
No. In this sense it means no-good or low-quality. Tone and context tell you which one.