“With all due respect” is the twenty-first century’s F-bomb. In the old days, when someone said with all due respect, it meant, “Yes, I hear you. Thank you for sharing your opinion. I appreciate the input, but I must respectfully disagree.” Today, it means, “Shut your big yap, because it’s my turn to talk.” Or, “With all due respect, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Maybe even, “With all due respect, I wish you would drop dead.”
As far as I can tell, in 2008 no respect is due any more, and if someone with all due respects you, they are doing it with supreme irony and contempt. It’s a declaration of war. And with all due respect, I suggest you treat it as such.
2 responses so far ↓
GMHeller // April 16, 2008 at 11:54 am
Funny, but whenever I hear commentators on TV or radio using the phrase, “With all due respect,” I automatically assume it signifies the opposite.
GMHeller
Monterey,MA
Mike // April 20, 2008 at 1:09 pm
As a soldier, I’ve been using that phrase for years as a cover for “I think you’re a moron and I barely tolerate your presence, but…” when speaking to superiors. Great post.