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When you hear these phrases, watch out

Tee-up words
Words and phrases that add nothing to the sentence that follows.
Eric Ringham

Go Deeper.

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Linquists Jamie Pennebaker and Jason Riggle joined The Daily Circuit to discuss "tee-up" words — that is, words or phrases that merely introduce sentences, and often contradict those sentences. Here are the phrases mentioned by guests, callers, commenters or hosts on the show:

• Anyway ...
• As you know ...
• At the end of the day
• Bless his heart
• Do you know what I'm saying?
• Do yourself a favor
• Don't take this personally
• First of all ...
• I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate ...
• I don't want to tell you what to do, but ...
• I hate to tell you this
• I hear what you're saying, but ...
• I love her to death, but ...
• I mean ...
• I was gonna say ...
• I'm just saying ...
• I'm not an expert, but ...
• I'm not going to make excuses, but ...
• I'm not one to gossip, but ...
• I'm not racist, but ...
• It's none of my business, but ...
• Just to let you know ...
• Let me be clear about this, as I've told the American people, I have not had sex with that woman.
• Like ...
• Like I said ...
• Look ...
• Make no mistake ...
• My good friend ...
• No offense, but ...
• Right?
• So ...
• To be blunt ...
• To be clear ...
• To be fair ...
• To be honest ...
• Well, again ...
• With all due respect ...
•You know ...

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEE-UP WORDS:

• The Verbal "Tee-Ups" That Often Reveal Dishonesty
When we're about to be a bit of a jerk or a bit dishonest, we'll use terms like, "I want to say," "I'm just saying," "To be perfectly honest," "Don't take this the wrong way," or "I hear what you're saying." From the speaker's perspective, these types of terms are used to make it easier to say something difficult or to get a few extra seconds to collect thoughts together. (LifeHacker)