# Rise in the use of "it is what it is"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 5, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119 "2010-10-05T14:42:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119/21 "2010-10-05T18:41:24Z")

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> [@WordMan](#):
>
> Is it just me, or is the use of the phrase “it is what it is” on the upswing? I find myself using it - as in “no use complaining, let’s figure out how to move on.” But I feel like I am hearing it more in conversations and even on TV. Have you noticed this in your neck of the woods? Sorry I can’t provide specific cites; just a feeling I have…
> 
> If so, it reminds me of “don’t go there” - one of those phrases that seems to bump in popularity for a while…

I’m noticing it more and more, possibly because I find it annoying and the more I hear it the more annoying I find it.

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**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119/22 "2010-10-05T19:00:17Z")

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The first time I started hearing it a ton was from Bill Belichick press conferences during the Patriots Super Bowl years. Relevant 2004 news link: [USA Today](http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2004-12-27-cliche-of-year_x.htm).

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**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119/23 "2010-10-05T21:17:45Z")

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I hate that phrase. I also hate “girl’s night out,” “guy’s night out,” and “man cave.”

One that seems to be popping up around here is some idiot yelling “Did that just happen?!?!” anytime something funny or crazy takes place.

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**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rise-in-the-use-of-it-is-what-it-is/556119/24 "2010-10-05T21:55:52Z")

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I’ve found myself using it with more frequency in recent years, probably spurred by hearing it (and hearing it discussed) around Clemens’ testimony. I think it’s quite useful in heading off a long conversation about a subject that everyone basically agrees about or understands. This is a useful rhetorical tool to have in the law game.

–Cliffy

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