What’s the meaning of “as it were” in this sentence?

‘You know, you really must visit my studio, my dear. See my etchings, as it were.’

Thanks so much!

Question

What’s the meaning of “as it were” in this sentence?

‘You know, you really must visit my studio, my dear. See my etchings, as it were.’

Thanks so much!

Answer

Well, taken in context the speaker is obviously an artist and wants her to look at his art work.  However 'Come up and see my etchings' is also used  by a man to lure a woman into his apartment for a little bit of 'the other' (he hopes). It has become a bit of a joke. "Did he ask you to come up and see his etchings on the first date?'

Answer

"As it were" means very little. It is a filler like "so to speak" or "you see" or "basically" or "you know" or "I mean". I agree with what Glenn and Leigh said.

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