I have no formal training in human psychology or sociology but I have observed a peculiarity in the use of the word "sorry". I believe when I hear people use the word "sorry" they are not apologizing at all. Very few people have had formal lessons in comportment and it follows that habitually informal language leads to improper use of terms that in fact have formal meaning that is in no way related to what the speaker is trying to convey. For example we often hear a person say "sorry" when they want to interject a thought where others are speaking. What the "sorry" person means to say is a polite "excuse me" pause for attention and then to proceed with whatever is on their mind. Or another example would be conveying sympathy and empathy. Sorry contrary to what Elton John has to say seems to be the easiest word.