What is meant by the term "no pun intended"?

Question

please be thorough and explain it

Answer 1

Before I start, let me stress that this is a fictitious situation, and would not be at all funny to the person concerned, but it does illustrate very well what holes you can fall down accidentally.

I wanted to ask my neighbour if he would check my house periodically while I was away, and I was particularly concerned about my television. I asked him if he would keep an eye on the television for me.

It then dawned on me that he had just had just been in hospital and had had an eye removed. I would have to say 'no pun intended'.

How very unfortunate that comment would be.

Answer 2

It is sometimes the case that someone will make a statement that will include a pun - but they did not mean to make a pun - so as they realize they have said it, they make it clear this is not part of what they wanted to say. And the usual expression is, "No pun intended."

Answer 3

I hope you know what a pun means. In case you don't know what a pun is, this is for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun

No pun intended means the person really means what he said and that he does not mean to use puns anywhere in the sentence.

Like for example: I'm dying to see the cemetery, no pun intended.

Though the person used a pun in the sentence, he is sincerely eager to see the cemetery. In other words, it may seem like a joke, but is not meant to be a joke.
I hope it's clear to you. Puns are a confusing subject. ;D

Answer 4

In other words they are not trying to make a joke when they say soemthing that sounds like there's a joke in there. A pun is the humorous use of a word or phrase so as to emphasize or suggest its different meanings or applications, or the use of words that are alike or nearly alike in sound but different in meaning; a play on words. (dictionary.com) So when someone says "No pun intended" they are saying they aren't joing basically.

Answer 5

Pun-
The usually humorous use of a word in such a way as to suggest 2 or more of its meanings or the meaning of another word similar in sound.

So, if someone says that, they weren't trying to make a joke or wanted to be serious.

Answer 6

"pun" = wordplay.

The airport worker was found guilty of stealing from peoples luggage. It was an open and shut case.

When someone says "no pun intended" they made a play on words but didn't mean to.

Answer 7

It refers to a statement that sounds like a bit of a joke (pun) but it's not intended to.

Answer 8

if you make a joke when you did not mean to make one, you say, no pun intended, or no fun intended, or no insult intended... it is the same. if I am talking to a grieving person for instance and I make an accidental joke, or one that could be insulting, the only thing I can say is: no pun intended...