💬 Just Sayin’: The Coward’s Comma

There is no phrase more cowardly than “just sayin’.”
It’s the linguistic equivalent of a nervous giggle after a punch to the face — an attempt to retreat into innocence after launching something cruel, stupid, or both.

“Just sayin’” isn’t communication.
It’s a parasitic disclaimer — a soft landing for people who want to throw verbal punches but still be seen as “nice.”
Like they can stomp through someone’s self-esteem in cleats, then whisper “no offense” over their shoulder and expect forgiveness to magically materialize.

You know the type:

“I don’t mean to sound racist, but…”
“Not to be rude, but…”
“I’m not trying to judge, I’m just sayin’…”

No.
You were trying to judge.
You do mean to sound racist.
And you’re not “just” saying anything — you’re saying something ugly and then trying to wash your hands in the sink of plausible deniability.

These are coward’s commas — the little linguistic pauses people insert before or after cruelty so they can pretend it wasn’t cruelty at all.
It’s emotional loopholing.
It’s fake humility.
It’s manipulation through syntax.

If you don’t mean to be rude, then don’t be f***ing rude.
If you don’t want to sound racist, then close your mouth before you embarrass yourself.
If you’re “just saying,” then maybe keep it to yourself until you’re saying something worth hearing.

“Just sayin’” is not a wand. It doesn’t erase the garbage you just dropped on the floor. It’s not punctuation that absolves you of being an asshole.
It’s an admission of guilt dressed as casual honesty.

So here’s your grown-up tip for the day:
If your thought needs a disclaimer, it probably isn’t a thought worth sharing.
And if you ever catch yourself tempted to say “just sayin’,” don’t.

Stop right there.
Take a breath.
And maybe just think it instead.