{"by":"sedev","id":3659167,"kids":[3659308,3659734],"parent":3659041,"text":"I'd argue that \"I don't mean to X ...\" has actually fallen victim to the euphemism treadmill ( <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemism#Euphemism_treadmill\" rel=\"nofollow\">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemism#Euphemism_treadmill</a> ).  It can still be used earnestly for its original meaning, but that usage has been overtaken by the usage where someone essentially says \"I'm not racist but - \" and then proceeds to make a racist remark. This leads to the situation that your parent comment points out.<p>Language, of course, varies, and we should keep in mind that some uses tend to crowd out others - but I definitely think that this is something like the euphemism treadmill at work.","time":1330741411,"type":"comment"}