rhetorical devices - Is there a name for "I don't mean to..., but" phrases?



"I don't mean to change the subject, but..." but you are changing the subject.


"I don't mean to interrupt, but..." but you are interrupting.



Is there a name for these type of "polite" phrases?



Answer



It is a fairly well known figure of speech:


Apophasis


or paralipsis, meaning to mention something by saying you're not going to mention it.


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