A mix between apology and
lie. Particularly true when
people are
late. They always give you excuses that are often made up on their way, excuses that suit for an apology.
"I'll see you to-morrow at 6 at the "Land
Oak", the 1st real date I have I'll be early to clear my throat... 6:20 then 30, 2 pints and a whisky and I see no
one til 40 with an apololie that goes like this : "Sorry I'm
late, I got stuck in a traffic jam...."