"I Must Admit" and "I'm Sorry"

I'm not allowed to apologize anymore, so I'm just going to warn you that this is another overanalysis of expressions used by the English-speaking human population which I am writing because I have time to kill. You've been warned, this is not an apology, end of speech.


I've noticed lately that when people want to pay something or someone a compliment, they often start with the phrase "I must admit." And there's nothing wrong with that, it just tickles my brain sensitivity because I always wonder why they "must admit." Admission, as far as I know, usually happens after a person has said the opposite of what he's admitting, but I keep hearing it when people are just making a non-contradicted comment. For example, you only have to "admit" that the spaghetti I made is good if before you said something like "I am of the opinion that your spaghetti will suck big time." But if you didn't say that, which I hope you didn't, you wouldn't have to "admit" anything. You could just say my spaghetti is delicious (which it is) and call it a day.


I don't have a problem with people saying "I must admit." You can say it till the cows come home for all I care, I'm just in an overanalytical mood and now I'm apologizing again so I'm going to stop talking.


That's another thing that bothers me. People, I have found, tend to assume I'm apologizing every time I say "I'm sorry," but it's not always an apology. I say "I'm sorry" when


1. I wish to apologize
2. I wish to give my condolences.


For example,


Person: My cow was hit by a truck.
Me: Oh, dear. I'm sorry.
Person: No, don't apologize, it's not your fault.


I wish I had a nickel for every time. I didn't hit your cow with my truck, and if I did, I'd be the last person to admit it. I'm not apologizing, I'm offering my condolences. If you don't want condolences, then there's nothing I can do for you. I suppose I could get you a new cow, but that is something for which ain't nobody got time, including me. Plus I can't afford a new cow. I don't even think I can afford a used cow. Get your own damn cow.


That's all I got to say about that.