quote-unquote
UK[ˌkwəʊt ʌnˈkwəʊt]US[ˌkwoʊt ʌnˈkwoʊt]
adv
Used in speech to indicate that the word or phrase that follows is being said ironically or with skepticism, or is not the speaker's own term.
Etymology
The phrase 'quote unquote' originates from the conventions of dictation and typesetting, where "quote" and "unquote" were spoken instructions to mark the beginning and end of a quotation. Its first recorded use as a spoken ironic marker dates to the mid-20th century. The logic of the phrase relies on the listener's familiarity with these editorial terms to mentally frame the following word as a "so-called" example. This evolution demonstrates how procedural jargon can be lexicalized into a pragmatic discourse marker, shifting from a literal instruction to a signal of skepticism or distancing.
Analysis
This is a fixed adverbial phrase formed from the full words 'quote' and 'unquote', used as verbal punctuation.
Examples
The so-called expert, quote-unquote, had no formal training in the field.
He said we would get a bonus, quote-unquote, which turned out to be a five-dollar gift card.
Their "efficient" process, quote-unquote, actually takes twice as long.