by Michael Willimas September 15, 2006
Get the shwogglemug. by Pete/Sarah September 08, 2005
Get the shwogglesmug. Shwoggles
/ˈʃwɒɡəlz/ verb
(used with or without object)
1. The impulse or awkward urge to apologise for something completely harmless, minor, or not actually hurtful or wrong.
For example, brushing past someone lightly or accidentally standing in someone’s way. It can be any situation where you feel like you have done something wrong and want to apologise, however, when you do the other person insists there's no need to apologise.
2. A moment of social discomfort when you feel the need to say sorry, even though everyone involved in the awkward moment are aware that it is unnecessary to apologise.
3. You feel awkward because you’re not sure whether an apology is needed and want to uplift the mood so there is no more bad tension or overthinking and you can laugh it off. It should be humorous and funny. The intention is to make people smile or laugh and then create a warmer moment, compared to the awkward back and forth over apologising conversations.
Related Words:
Sorry reflex, social awkwardness, over-apologize.
Origin:
The word “Shwoggles” was formed from the mix of “shrug” and “wobble,” referring to the emotional flinch that happens after a harmless awkward moment and you're not sure if an apology is needed, but you still offer one.
The word shwoggles was created in Australia, at a workplace, between coworkers who disliked the over apologising conversations that occurred all day, everyday. Cheers to change!
/ˈʃwɒɡəlz/ verb
(used with or without object)
1. The impulse or awkward urge to apologise for something completely harmless, minor, or not actually hurtful or wrong.
For example, brushing past someone lightly or accidentally standing in someone’s way. It can be any situation where you feel like you have done something wrong and want to apologise, however, when you do the other person insists there's no need to apologise.
2. A moment of social discomfort when you feel the need to say sorry, even though everyone involved in the awkward moment are aware that it is unnecessary to apologise.
3. You feel awkward because you’re not sure whether an apology is needed and want to uplift the mood so there is no more bad tension or overthinking and you can laugh it off. It should be humorous and funny. The intention is to make people smile or laugh and then create a warmer moment, compared to the awkward back and forth over apologising conversations.
Related Words:
Sorry reflex, social awkwardness, over-apologize.
Origin:
The word “Shwoggles” was formed from the mix of “shrug” and “wobble,” referring to the emotional flinch that happens after a harmless awkward moment and you're not sure if an apology is needed, but you still offer one.
The word shwoggles was created in Australia, at a workplace, between coworkers who disliked the over apologising conversations that occurred all day, everyday. Cheers to change!
After realising they were blocking someone’s way unintentionally, the person said “shwoggles” to the person they had blocked to lighten the awkward moment.
“I accidentally bumped into someone lightly, I then felt a bit awkward and had the desire to apologise, however I knew it wasn’t a big deal, so instead i said shwoggles and we both laughed it off.”
It is supposed to be used humourlessly to lighten the awkwardness a person has after they feel the desire to apologise.
“I accidentally bumped into someone lightly, I then felt a bit awkward and had the desire to apologise, however I knew it wasn’t a big deal, so instead i said shwoggles and we both laughed it off.”
It is supposed to be used humourlessly to lighten the awkwardness a person has after they feel the desire to apologise.
by GinGee777 August 12, 2025
Get the Shwogglesmug.