Word for beginning a statement with a disclaimer / caveat / hedge when you are worried you might say something incorrect


For some reason I am convinced that such a word exists, that I've heard it used in classroom settings, and that I'll recognize it when I see it. But I have no idea what it is. I tried googling this elusive word and failed miserably; I asked a few friends, but they couldn't think of it either. Help!


Suppose someone says: "Well, I don't know much about this topic, and I could be wrong, but XYZ." I feel there's a word to describe the opening that leads into XYZ. It's a sort of hedging: you aren't fully committing yourself; you're worried about being wrong. I can almost hear a high-school teacher saying "Don't start an answer with a _."


Any ideas?



Answer



It may seem oxymoronic to identify the prefatory statement, "Well, I don't know much about this topic" as a qualification, but the speaker is qualifying (that is, limiting) the level of confidence with which the statement is offered and with which it should be received, by asserting up-front his or her lack of qualifications (in the sense of credentialed competence or expertise) to make the statement.


In addition to qualification, words that might be used to describe prefacing a statement with a preamble that narrows the applicability or reach of the statement by downplaying the speaker's independent knowledge or expertise are proviso, stipulation, reservation, and (two words) limiting condition, along with caveat, disclaimer, and hedge (which the poster identified at the outset).


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