Said when the point under discussion hinges on the meaning of words and phrases:
- If you look at the strict dictionary definition of the words I used, ignoring the common connotations that are familiar to any native speaker, I didn't say anything insulting.
- I have a cheap paperback no-name dictionary right here, and what it says that word means is...
- When I say {common term, used in dozens of messages in the thread} I don't mean {the common contextual meaning}, I mean {something entirely idiosyncratic}.
- Just because X said all Ys are {something objectionable}, and you're a Y, doesn't mean X was talking about you.
- When I said that {group to which you belong} are miserable stupid fucktards, why did you think I was talking about you?
- You fail to understand that X intended you to read this a certain way, so it's completely immaterial that the actual text doesn't say that.
- It's just rhetoric.
- It's just semantics.
- I was being ironic/sarcastic.
Said when the point in question is debatable, and in fact is being debated:
- It's a moot (or mute) point.