A phrase often used to
preface
an opinion on a subject when the
person voicing the opinion is not an
expert in the field
under discussion.
The "I'm not a rocket scientist, but ....."
when uttered by one's boss, the administration,
or some other "concerned group" are the type
of comments that leads a committee to design
a camel when given the brief for a horse.
One of my professors (in Astronomy) was at a university senate meeting
and recounts the following story.
Someone began by saying "I'm not a rocket scientist, but ..
". The next person continued "I'm not a rocket scientist
either, but ...". This continued around the table,
until my professor could contain himself no longer.
Up he jumped and declared "Speaking as the only
rocket scientist in the room ..."
(he was working with an x-ray satellite at the time !)