Explaining "No pun intended"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem Today, 07:28

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "No pun intended" is used after making a statement that could be interpreted as a play on words (a pun), to indicate that the speaker did not mean to make a pun.

Tone

Light-hearted or humorous, often clarifying and self-aware.

Origin

The phrase dates back to at least the 19th century in English, used to acknowledge accidental puns in conversation or writing, and to distance the speaker from making a deliberate joke.

Examples of usage

I used to be a banker but I lost interest—no pun intended.
His bakery business is on the rise, no pun intended.
She bugs me with her insect stories, no pun intended.