Tongue-In-Cheek

not serious<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Why were you teasing Sonia about her new hairdo? She really took offense at what you said.

I didn’t mean to offend her. I was simply making a tongue-in-cheek remark when I said that it was too elaborate for a girl of her young, tender age.

Well, she thought you were serious. She had no idea that you were just saying that as a joke.

I’m really sorry. I suppose I owe her an apology.