Why do people bring up what's "needless to say" if it is 'needless to say'?

Question

Like when people say "It's needless to say this is very important", why do they include the 'needless to say' if it is in-fact "needless to say"?

Answer 1

It is also why people say 'innit'

n'est ce pas ?

Answer 2

These phrases come under the category of journalese - almost meaningless and certainly unnecessary. They are much more common in speech rather than the written word, as if we are verbally stalling for time. It is intersting to consider WHY we use such expressions.

"To all intents and purposes" is another of these waste-of-time expressions.

Answer 3

Needles to say, the answer is obvious.