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"With all due respect" can mean 'you're not worthy of any respect, but plyed with a straight bat, it means "I'm about to disagree with you strongly and in a way
by Angostura 7y ago
"With all due respect" can mean 'you're not worthy of any respect, but plyed with a straight bat, it means "I'm about to disagree with you strongly and in a way that might jeopardise my career, but I have to say this, please don't take it as a personal attack'.
- TheOtherHobbes 7y agoUsually that reduces to "I think you're an idiot, and here's why." I think these constructions are fascinating. They're accepted as barely disguised aggression, used in situations where outright aggression might spiral out of control. But they actually work. Even though everyone understands what they really mean, they're far less likely to lead to escalation than less polite forms.