slap on the wrist

"Japan Times Weekly" ２月１１日号から。

まずはごめんなさいと言ってしまう日本式の謝罪をアメリカも取り始めたという記事。
謝罪に関する単語を二つ。

"A convincing show of regret by criminal defendant can mean the difference between a slap on the wrist and prison time.

"slap on the wrist" は軽い罪、警告。

"A similar string of mea culpas followed the discovery of prohibited spine bones in a package of imported U.S. veal."

"mea culpa"はラテン語で正式の謝罪。