The phrase "Did I stutter?" is commonly used as a sarcastic or emphatic comeback when someone wants to assert that what they said was clear and should not be questioned or misunderstood. It typically means something like "Did you not hear me?" or "Was I not clear?" and is often used to convey frustration or seriousness.
However, this phrase is controversial because it revolves around the stigma associated with stuttering—a speech disorder—and can be hurtful or offensive to people who actually stutter. Some in the stuttering community see the phrase as reinforcing negative stereotypes and discrimination against people with speech differences. It implies that stuttering makes someone's speech less legitimate or worthy of attention, which can perpetuate harmful social biases and workplace discrimination against people who stutter.
The phrase has appeared in popular culture, notably in the TV show The Office (Season 4, Episode 16), where it became an iconic line, and it is frequently used in media and everyday language as a snappy retort.
In summary, "Did I stutter?" is a rhetorical question used to emphasize clarity and seriousness in speech, but its use is debated due to its unintended negative implications toward people who stutter.