"I'm not being funny but..."

Emp_Fab

WTF is that supposed to mean ?  It usually prefaces some criticism or piece of advice.  "I'm not being funny" - funny how ?  funny like a clown ?

Sambostar

It's masonic code, like a secret handshake.  It means you are descended from space aliens.

Ravenous

Does anyone really not know what this means? I would explain this phrase to a foreigner learning English, but I would expect a native to know.

Sambostar

I'm not being funny but no, not really

scrumhalf

Did they turn round and say it?

guitarfishbay

It's the same as "no offence, but.."

I'm not being funny but I thought everyone over 5 knew this

Maynehead

In this context, funny = weird, as in "This cheese I found down my pants tastes a bit funny."

Fretwired

For most people the phrase 'I'm not being funny' is apt as they aren't .. just like a warning you get on TV about violence or sex so you can't complain afterwards. There are plenty of comedians on TV who should use the phrase before they come on stage.

english_bob

I'd always assumed that it was "funny peculiar" rather than "funny ha ha"- "it's not my intention to create an atmosphere- to create unease or give the impression of animosity between us". That sort of thing. 

Danny1969

Dopesick

I'm not being funny, but why is everyone pissing and moaning about flippant and trivial phrases today?

axisus

Maybe people should just say 'I'm being funny' and tell it like it is

CabbageCat

Ravenous said:

Does anyone really not know what this means? I would explain this phrase to a foreigner learning English, but I would expect a native to know.

I think you really know that Emp Fab does know exactly what it means and how it is used. He's just dressing misanthropy up as ignorance.

gubble

Oh this phrase winds me up no end.

Quite obviously something has irritated you at some level so just say it and not disguise the fact you're irritated.

It's up there with the phrase "what's up hun" (usually commenting on a social media post of I'm so unhappy or sad or something else seeking attention) or someone ordering a babycinno - easily my least favourite 'word' and product.

clearly my toothache is making me a grumpy man today

Strangefan

Dopesick said:

I'm not being funny, but why is everyone pissing and moaning about flippant and trivial phrases today?

Why not? It's an Internet forum for discussion.... Kinda the point of it all really. 

RocknRollDave

I have a colleague for whom this is his signature phrase. It's quite useful, actually, as it is shorthand for "I am about to go off on a rant you probably won't agree with", so I know to immediately stop listening.

This is the same guy who is currently in a MAJOR strop with me because I accidentally broke his mug on Tuesday and wasn't in yesterday to break the news to him, so he had to find out the hard way. "You should have TEXTED me!"  What?! I break your mug and you need to know RIGHT AWAY?! Dude, right now, you ARE BEING FUNNY. You c*nt.

jellyroll

RocknRollDave said:

This is the same guy who is currently in a MAJOR strop with me because I accidentally broke his mug on Tuesday and wasn't in yesterday to break the news to him, so he had to find out the hard way. "You should have TEXTED me!"  What?! I break your mug and you need to know RIGHT AWAY?! Dude, right now, you ARE BEING FUNNY. You c*nt.

He needs to get a handle on himself.

57Deluxe

prefacing a sentence "I'm not being funny, but..." is akin to - "excuse me but I am gong to punch you in the face... no offence mind"!

Rox

Emp_Fab said:

WTF is that supposed to mean ?  It usually prefaces some criticism or piece of advice.  "I'm not being funny" - funny how ?  funny like a clown ?

I'm not being funny but this is the reason my stand up comedy failed badly.

TheBlueWolf

I'm not being funny but I don't usually like this kind of thread but yeah but no but etc......

Danny1969

Having said that !!