Common big house or camp preface to a piece of advice or a warning. Its use is supposed to imply the speaker is neither bossing around nor threatening the hearer, only offering sage advice or a pithy observation. In practice, however, it is often used immediately before a verbal threat to another inmate.

A phrase used at the beginning of a sentence, typically followed by a statement or question that could potentially upset the recipient, if not worded tactfully.
Used often in the Upper East coast, particularly New York.

Similar in definition to the term “No offense but....”

Meant to soften the blow.