When someone attempts to say something mean or insulting in a cute way so they can pass off their meanness as an attempt at humor or generally make their meanness seem less obvious or more acceptable to bystanders.
Erin: You sure like telling other people how to live their lives, Karen, oops I mean, Candace! (giggles obnoxiously at her intentional "mistake" and looks around to make sure others are sharing in her "joke")
Candace: For the tenth time, we're in the middle of a global pandemic, and management requires that all shoppers wear masks. If you don't want to do that, just take your cutesy-mean act to another store. There are other customers in line, here!
Candace: For the tenth time, we're in the middle of a global pandemic, and management requires that all shoppers wear masks. If you don't want to do that, just take your cutesy-mean act to another store. There are other customers in line, here!
by dictionaryenchantress May 31, 2020