Idiom for "just because you give something a different name, it doesn't change what it is"
I'm looking for a way to idiomatically express the sentiment that just because you give something a different name, or precede it with a disclaimer, it doesn't change what it is, e.g.:
- "I mean this as constructive criticism, not an insult, but ..."
- "I'm not racist, but ..."
- "With all due respect ..."
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. [Shakespeare]
(What matters is what something is, not what it is called. [Phrase Finder] )
Possibly inappropriate for an attempted cover-up.
If the focus is on the attempt to disguise what's about to follow,
sugaring the pill
fits:
sugar/sweeten the pill (British, American & Australian) also sugar-coat the pill (American)
to [attempt to] make something bad seem less unpleasant The government have cut income tax to sweeten the pill of a tough budget.
[Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed.]
"You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick_on_a_pig
Seems perfect for your requirements but perhaps a little too colloquial.
Do you like Shakespeare? If so, how about "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", or, shorter these days, "A rose is a rose is a rose."
If you're not a big fan of the Bard, consider "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck ...".
