• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

What does the phrase "No offense intended." mean to you?

By logic applied I hold it to be meaningless. Obviously by even addressing the possibility (of causing offense) I show that I know it.

Only way out is not to say what I want to say.

If I say it anyway I show myself not to care all that much about anyone being offended, or, at least, caring more about saying what I want to say than about the possible offense this may cause.
 
CanadaJohn said:
Usually, I'll simply say - "at the risk of being offensive........" - that usually means, at least for me, that I intend to use plain language that some may not consider appropriate in public. I'm prepared to take that chance because sometimes plain language is necessary for some to understand the point being made.
Click to expand...

I think that it's also a tacit acknowledgment that you've respectfully considered your audience.

And I mean that with all due respect. :lol:

(That's a phrase that sometimes bugs me because sometimes when I hear this, I sometimes think to myself "meaning absolutely none.")
 
It simply means I'm going to deliberately offend you and I know it, but if I say that the offense is not intended, it takes away your justification for offending me back. It's a two-fer!! :lol:
 
I'd like to blame you in advance for being hypersensitive to my valid opinion.
 
Yeah I'm not a fan of that type of verbiage because it depends entirely upon the source and puts the burden upon the receiver

it might mean "I am timid, and wish no offense" or it might mean I'm an aggressive SOB but you could likely take me so I am covering all bases before I am going to blast you

it's like claiming an out for being a dick

duck and cover...because regardless of intent they are about to tell you what they really think

then it is up to you to decide if you give a care
 
I am going to say this and f*** u
 
radcen said:
What does the phrase "No offense intended." mean to you?

Does it mean, "I'm about to say something offensive, and I'm covering my butt."?

Or, does it mean, "I deem you to potentially be overly sensitive and easily offended, but what I'm about to say needs to be said regardless."?

Both? Something else entirely?
Click to expand...



Resembles "With all due respect..." and "Don't get me wrong, but...."


Online it means little... in person it means "I'm soothing your ego in advance in the hopes you won't punch me in the mouth for what I'm about to say."


FTF, often a necessary caution and courtesy. Online, a CYA measure before being offensive, mostly.


Me, I'm one of those odd fellows who typically says exactly what he means, and means exactly what he says...
 
Goshin said:
Resembles "With all due respect..." and "Don't get me wrong, but...."


Online it means little... in person it means "I'm soothing your ego in advance in the hopes you won't punch me in the mouth for what I'm about to say."


FTF, often a necessary caution and courtesy. Online, a CYA measure before being offensive, mostly.


Me, I'm one of those odd fellows who typically says exactly what he means, and means exactly what he says...
Click to expand...

It's a bit like ending an offensive and likely absurd statement with "just sayin.'"
 
radcen said:
Does it mean, "I'm about to say something offensive, and I'm covering my butt."?

Or, does it mean, "I deem you to potentially be overly sensitive and easily offended, but what I'm about to say needs to be said regardless."?
Click to expand...

In my experience it means the former most of the time.

However the difference between the two is mainly in the eye of the beholder. I consider myself relatively thick-skinned, but someone who says offensive things regularly would probably argue that they're just speaking the truth and I'm too easily offended.
 
It essentially means "you're not a bad person overall, but...."
 
Dittohead not! said:
It's a bit like ending an offensive and likely absurd statement with "just sayin.'"
Click to expand...

I think the little disclaimer of "just sayin" has replaced the older "No offense" and "Don't get me wrong". It just sounds more hipper.

It kind of removes any responsibility of the speaker for any phrase that may be insulting to some.
 
Goshin said:
Resembles "With all due respect..." and "Don't get me wrong, but...."


Online it means little... in person it means "I'm soothing your ego in advance in the hopes you won't punch me in the mouth for what I'm about to say."


FTF, often a necessary caution and courtesy. Online, a CYA measure before being offensive, mostly.


Me, I'm one of those odd fellows who typically says exactly what he means, and means exactly what he says...
Click to expand...

I'd forgotten "Don't get me wrong, but...." :lol:
 
nota bene said:
I'd forgotten "Don't get me wrong, but...." :lol:
Click to expand...

You know the "but" is coming with any of these qualifying introductions. It's a passive method of declaring that the speaker has honorable intentions which are about to be discarded following the "but" in most cases. The great thing is the fervent belief by the speaker that he or she retains the moral high ground after the disqualifier is delivered.
 
humbolt said:
You know the "but" is coming with any of these qualifying introductions. It's a passive method of declaring that the speaker has honorable intentions which are about to be discarded following the "but" in most cases. The great thing is the fervent belief by the speaker that he or she retains the moral high ground after the disqualifier is delivered.
Click to expand...
If the speaker does indeed and honestly have no ill will, then do they not retain the moral high ground? After all, they did try to warn the person.
 
radcen said:
If the speaker does indeed and honestly have no ill will, then do they not retain the moral high ground? After all, they did try to warn the person.
Click to expand...

I'd say that if there's no ill intent, the moral high ground doesn't enter the picture at all. I'm being somewhat uncharitable because we're talking about anonymus conversations on the internet here. It's an offer of judgement without the responsibility that judgement contains. I don't think it's necessarily wrong, but it's cheating a little. It's just a kinder way of telling someone they're full of crap about something, but most of the kindness is reserved for the teller.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom