Definition: The compulsive, knee-jerk apology reflex developed by kids who’ve been conditioned to preemptively atone for merely existing in their parents’ vicinity. These children apologize for breathing too loud, needing food, or accidentally catching an adult’s gaze, treating basic human needs as criminal offenses. It’s a survival tactic honed in environments where unpredictable rage or indifference turns them into tiny diplomats constantly negotiating for safety. The phrase “I’m sorry” becomes less an admission of guilt and more a verbal flinch.
Example: “When Ben knocked over his water bottle, he instantly folded into a trembling origami of ‘sorrys’ before the first drop hit the floor. His teacher had to reassure him three times that hydration wasn’t a war crime while silently drafting another CPS report.”