No Offense, But You're Offensive (VIDEO)

"No offense, but..." has been a not-so-sly method of insulting people since (probably) the beginning of time.

And, sure, what follows "no offense, but.." is always offensive, but shouldn't we also be offended by the phrase itself?

Either way. the phrase often ends up backfiring spectacularly.

Here are some examples of how using the "no offense" tactic have backfired in the past:

"NO OFFENSE" EXAMPLE 1: During the 2009 Miss America pageant, when Perez Hilton asked Miss California her thoughts on gay marriage, she said, "In my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but..."

RESULT: She lost the pageant and Perez Hilton called her a "dumb bitch" (and he didn't say "no offense," either).

"No OFFENSE" EXAMPLE 2: UCLA student Alexandra Wallace made a fool of herself via YouTube during her racist rant about Asian students.

She began with "So you know I'm not the most politically correct person, so don't take this offensively..." and then proceeded to make a series of racist statements.

RESULT: After this video, Wallace issued a public apology in The Daily Bruin and announced that she would be leaving UCLA.

So, let's put an end to the phrase, shall we? Things do not go well for those who attempt to use the "no offense" copout. They end up losing beauty pageants and dropping out of college.

Instead, come up with something more clever. If you want to insult me, use your acerbic wit to do so in a manner that isn't unsubtly moronic. Why not try a backhanded compliment?

Using "No offense, but..." has now come to the point of parody. The following video displays what a farce the phrase has become by taking it to the very extreme. And, no offense, but if you don't find this video funny, then you're totally humorless.

WATCH:

 

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Comments

[Girl Unafraid]

05:06 PM on 12/14/2011

'No offense" is the preface for any generic, passive aggressive comment.
If you want to see someones head explode, try starting a sentence with "to be honest"...

[conal6]

11:30 AM on 12/14/2011

No offense but that article was a whole lot of nothing. Don't you have something more important to do ? No offense , with all due respect, I'm just saying ,

[itsjules]

05:21 PM on 12/13/2011

I've definitely been guilty of the "I mean no offense, HOWEVER" schtick. Food for though: I will work on eradicating it from my vocab :)

[Ty Thompson]

01:31 PM on 12/13/2011

With all due respect, that opening is a little dated.

[FearlessFreep]

12:42 PM on 12/13/2011

"I'm a liberal, but..."

[JoeyDee2]

11:55 AM on 12/13/2011

If the always nervy, obnoxious, buzzkill member of any group ever asks, "Why do people take an instant dislike to me?", simply answer, "It saves time."

[OldNedder]

08:48 AM on 12/13/2011

"Can you do me a favor?" (and waiting for an answer before saying what it is they want).

[jonjojon]

05:51 PM on 12/12/2011

No Offence intended but I find this type of English Humor a bit dry and tasteless; this from the Land of Good Manners and Royal Propriety. Actually it was a side-wise way of saying the shopper was fat and out of shape which is insulting (even when true) regardless of how you say it.
It is difficult to understand how a Nation that prides itself on precise Manners, Moderation and Grace find the abject opposite to be humerous.

[gypsynomad]

04:57 PM on 12/12/2011

I mean, like, you know...oh well never mind, whatever.....,

[moonflowerjewelry]

04:41 PM on 12/12/2011

My younger son has that phrase down to a science... at first I thought he was just a little socially clueless (one friend see's Asperger's in him, me, not so much) until I figured out that he is completely aware he is getting under your skin and he is enjoying it. "You look fat in that... no offense"

[kennethhdeome]

04:21 PM on 12/12/2011

'If I were you..."

[Ever notice how when people want to advise you on how to become a better person they tend to mean you should be more like them?]

And the correct response to the above insult is: "If I were you..." "...You wouldn't have started let alone finish that bleeping sentence."

[stalkervision]

04:18 PM on 12/12/2011

..."the job creators"

[phal4875]

04:17 PM on 12/12/2011

No offense, but I never use that phrase.

[Soundofthunder]

04:16 PM on 12/12/2011

I love that one! Right down there with "With all due respect..." which is then followed with heaps of disrespect.

S

[Ducktaper]

04:11 PM on 12/12/2011

I like "bless your heart"

You have a vets for Palin bumper sticker on your car and you've never served in the military, well bless your heart.

[traceymarie]

08:19 PM on 12/12/2011

southern sugar insult