"It is what it is."

Gemini Cricket · 11-14-2007, 12:05 PM

Is it just me or is this phrase being used a lot lately?

It may be something that's been around for awhile, but I seem to be hearing it more and more nowdays.

"The writer's strike stinks."
"I know, people are going to get laid off left and right."
"Yep."
"Well, it is what it is, I guess."
"Yep."

(???)

It's such a weird phrase to me. I don't get it. I've even used it on people who used it on me and it's accepted as a reasonable response to something.

Anyway, just something I noticed...

(And I know I just started the Old Yeller thread, but I'm cutting diet soda out of my diet and I've just drank a cup of coffee... which I rarely do. I'm wired!!!!)

Snowflake · 11-14-2007, 12:11 PM

My old boss used to use that phrase all the time, drove me absolutely bonkers! But, it is what it is!

JWBear · 11-14-2007, 12:13 PM

s.o.c.k.s.

Morrigoon · 11-14-2007, 12:15 PM

I use that phrase. Just means "you can't change it, so no sense b*tching about it.

Not Afraid · 11-14-2007, 12:18 PM

"It's beyond my control". (Of course it is best when John Malkovich says it.)

Alex · 11-14-2007, 12:20 PM

I was just reading something about this phrase recently but I'm not finding it.

Here is a 2004 USA Today article on its sudden popularity in sports. William Safire wrote a column about it in March 2006 where the first use he can find is from 1949 though increasing dramatically in use over the last decade.

He also points out two earlier versions of the phrase from vastly different sources:

"What I have written, I have written" - John 19:22
"I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam" - Popeye

Morrigoon · 11-14-2007, 12:23 PM

Don't forget the ever-popular "Que sera sera"

Kevy Baby · 11-14-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Don't forget the ever-popular "Que sera sera"

Have you heard the Pink Martini version of that song? VERY haunting!

3894 · 11-14-2007, 12:50 PM

En français, "It is what it is" = Ainsi soit-il.

That happens to be the title of a mid-'70's hit by Demis Roussos, who's signature look was a caftan.

You can watch him perform "Ainsi soit-il" in all it's hideous glory. Brace yourself, there's more than one man in a caftan in the clip.

Morrigoon · 11-14-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3894

You can watch him perform "Ainsi soit-il" in all it's hideous glory. Brace yourself, there's more than one man in a caftan in the clip.

Not JUST a caftan! That's a caftan worn with (gloriously mismatching) silver metallic platform disco boots!

11-14-2007, 12:05 PM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	"It is what it is." Is it just me or is this phrase being used a lot lately? It may be something that's been around for awhile, but I seem to be hearing it more and more nowdays. "The writer's strike stinks." "I know, people are going to get laid off left and right." "Yep." "Well, it is what it is, I guess." "Yep." (???) It's such a weird phrase to me. I don't get it. I've even used it on people who used it on me and it's accepted as a reasonable response to something. Anyway, just something I noticed... (And I know I just started the Old Yeller thread, but I'm cutting diet soda out of my diet and I've just drank a cup of coffee... which I rarely do. I'm wired!!!!)
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11-14-2007, 12:11 PM	#2
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	My old boss used to use that phrase all the time, drove me absolutely bonkers! But, it is what it is! __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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11-14-2007, 12:13 PM	#3
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	s.o.c.k.s. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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11-14-2007, 12:15 PM	#4
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	I use that phrase. Just means "you can't change it, so no sense b*tching about it. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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11-14-2007, 12:18 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	"It's beyond my control". (Of course it is best when John Malkovich says it.)
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11-14-2007, 12:20 PM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I was just reading something about this phrase recently but I'm not finding it. Here is a 2004 USA Today article on its sudden popularity in sports. William Safire wrote a column about it in March 2006 where the first use he can find is from 1949 though increasing dramatically in use over the last decade. He also points out two earlier versions of the phrase from vastly different sources: "What I have written, I have written" - John 19:22 "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam" - Popeye
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11-14-2007, 12:23 PM	#7
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Don't forget the ever-popular "Que sera sera" __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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11-14-2007, 12:50 PM	#9
3894 Next Stop: Funkytown! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheeselandia Posts: 1,907	Woah, flashback! En français, "It is what it is" = Ainsi soit-il. That happens to be the title of a mid-'70's hit by Demis Roussos, who's signature look was a caftan. You can watch him perform "Ainsi soit-il" in all it's hideous glory. Brace yourself, there's more than one man in a caftan in the clip. __________________ "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder." - Flynn Rider, "Tangled"
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