Why do people always say no pun intended, when they clearly meant to say it?

They are proud of their pun, and want to draw attention to it. "No pun intended is one of the most common lies--right up there with "the check is in the mail."

No, sometimes there really isn't a pun intended. They just couldn't think of a better phrase and the phrase they said was unintentionally related to whatever they were talking about.

Maybe it's to keep the other person from thinking what's being said is a joke when it's really meant to be serious. On the other hand, it could be said as a type of apology - as if the speaker is sorry what he/she is about to say is a pun.

But I agree with you - when most people say that, they mean the pun for exactly what it is! :)

Some of the time its sincere--the person is making a pun, but doesn't relize it until after the fact. Other times its on porpoise, so you can't pretend to ignore the pun! :)

Sometimes i say that to take the importance away from the pun. and to adhere to the intent of the message.

For the effect it generates.