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

In My Humble Opinion
21

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.

22

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.

23

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.

24

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