Kicker: The science of saying sorry

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LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Have you ever felt compelled to extend your sincerest contrition in the most magniloquent, sesquipedalian terminology conceivable?

Turns out it's hard to say I'm sorry, literally. Science proves it. According to Dr. Shiri Lev-Ari of the University of London, when you use bigger words in your apology, your remorse sounds remarkably more remorseful. This is from the Mornings with Simi podcast:

LEV-ARI: I showed people versions of apologies that basically said the same thing, but with different words. So for example, ‘my action didn't reflect my true self’ versus ‘it didn't represent my true character.’

Same meaning, bigger words. So the next time you mess up, you could supersize your vocabulary—because, according to the good doctor, that’ll supersize your apology.

Or maybe, on the principle that love covers a multitude of sins, ask God to supersize your love for those you offend.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

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