[MissMisa]

So in the end, the reason we disagree is because what you think the word 'sorry' means is different to what I think it means.

With my example, 'I didn't wake up because my alarm batteries ran out and my mum didn't wake me up' would you accept it would have just been better to say, 'I'm sorry I'm late.'? Or what would you actually say instead?

I'd never do this either, but if someone ended up doing it, they'd have to figure out how to say sorry somehow.