"Did you mean to be so rude" yes.

[EliotNess]

Yes I did.
Whoever invented that as the ultimate put down? It's so jean Brodie.

It's become like anti pasta and Eton mess

I like it, and think it should be delivered in ringing Lady Bracknell tones.

oh ffs

they are still using it

The only way it would work in RL would be as a distraction technique because it's original, condescending and appeals to social norms blah blah. Everyone on Mumsnet has heard it to death so it's a cliche and can't take the wind out of your sails.

I think it's a shit and completely ineffective thing to say. Baffled why it's so applauded on MN.

Personally, I'm more fond of 'you're a rude little fuck'
Then they know they were rude

I said this ages ago and people got all puffed up with outrage that I was questioning The MN Come Back. I said that someone might just respond with "yes actually I did mean to be so rude" and got a flat denial that was possible .

It's rubbish, I would never say it.

I prefer to make a statement rather than ask a question: "I think that's a rude comment to make".

the question is really " is it ok for me to be offended because i cant wait to start the thread about it"

I can't stand it.

It's regularly dished out on here, and, it's really not effective. I bet nobody actually uses it in real life, either.

Sparkly it's definitely possible for people to say "yes, I really did" because I've said it.

I might have mentioned to my MIL, during her reign of terror, that she was controlling and manipulative and held the entire family to ransom with tantrums and tears.

She thought I didn't really mean to be that rude to her. But I really did because it was rude but true