The Archive

Etymology Journal ยท S

Sorry to bother ya

Meaning

A polite, slightly apologetic way to interrupt someone. It is often used by someone who is trying to ask for a favor or initiate an unwanted conversation.

Polite, sheepish

Used in a sentence

  • Sorry to bother ya, but do you know what time the office closes?
  • I am sorry to bother ya, could you help me move this box?
  • Sorry to bother ya, but I think you dropped your scarf.

The backstory

This is standard polite English, popularized by the Midwestern tendency to be overly deferential to avoid conflict.

Heard in

Midwest

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