i did not have sexual relations with that woman

The phrase "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" was famously said by then-President Bill Clinton in a televised statement on January 26, 1998, addressing allegations of an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton denied having sexual relations with Lewinsky, using a carefully specific definition of "sexual relations" that was legally interpreted at the time to mean intercourse involving genital contact. The phrase became notable because later investigations and Clinton's own admissions revealed that he had, in fact, engaged in a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, leading to significant political scandal including his impeachment proceedings. This denial highlighted a semantic and legal dispute over what constitutes "sexual relations." Clinton's legal and public stance was based on a narrow definition that excluded some acts that would commonly be considered sexual by many people. The statement and the entire scandal remain a key example of political language, legal interpretations, and media scrutiny intertwined in a major U.S. political event.