Timeline for What is the meaning of the phrase "for my sins"?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
6 events
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| Aug 24, 2014 at 9:46 | comment | added | bye | It's often used ironically as well, in a formula like this: "Professor, you were recently appointed to the Regius Chair for International Relations..." "For my sins." It sort of combines the concepts of desert and deprecation in one phrase. | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 8:01 | comment | added | WS2 | @EdwinAshworth Point taken. See my edited version. | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 7:50 | comment | added | Edwin Ashworth | Yes, it's a fresh take on the saying. This is another case of the freedom of expression available (within sensible limits) in the English language. The fact that the meaning / 'correctness' of this particular usage are being discussed here strongly suggests that it is not a normal or even transparent usage, but I for one would not label it 'incorrect'. | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 7:15 | comment | added | user66974 | I think it is mainly humorous in this case. For my sins( because I am too bad) I am not a regular church-goer. :)) | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 7:11 | comment | added | WS2 | I hadn't realised it was especially British. I suppose it is the self-deprecation, which a 'gentleman' is supposed to possess. | |
| Aug 24, 2014 at 7:07 | history | answered | user66974 | CC BY-SA 3.0 |