Ruth Wajnryb, wrting in the newspaper on November 20:

An apology means saying you're sorry. This seems straightforward enough until you poke at the scar tissue of history. Sometimes, etymology offers insights. 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.

English retains this original sense in its "apologist", though this too has been tainted by negativity.

Does anyone have any ideas of how the shift in meaning came about?

Dictionary.com has in its usage note the following:

quote:

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An apology, in the original sense of the word, was a pleading off from some charge or imputation, by explaining and defending one's principles or conduct. It therefore amounted to a vindication. One who offers an apology, admits himself to have been, at least apparently, in the wrong, but brings forward some palliating circumstance, or tenders a frank acknowledgment, by way of reparation. We make an apology for some breach of propriety or decorum (like rude expressions, unbecoming conduct, etc.), or some deficiency in what might be reasonably expected. We offer an excuse when we have been guilty of some breach or neglect of duty; and we do it by way of extenuating our fault, and with a view to be forgiven. When an excuse has been accepted, an apology may still, in some cases, be necessary or appropriate. ``An excuse is not grounded on the claim of innocence, but is rather an appeal for favor resting on some collateral circumstance. An apology mostly respects the conduct of individuals toward each other as equals; it is a voluntary act produced by feelings of decorum, or a desire for the good opinion of others.'' --Crabb.

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Wordnerd, remember this thread where we discussed "apology" waaaay back in 2002? Safi was still with us then, as you can see.