"it is what it is"

[texaxile]

Why is everyone using this phrase these days?.

Excuse my obvious ignorance, but I don't actually have a clue what it means.

I have heard it numerous times over the past month in referral to several situations which were all different, everything from staying late at work (we say that it's just bad luck but we tend to get away early more times than we get caught late, so fair do's) right up to someone speaking about the rusty and soon to be MOT failing wheelarches on my Mazda.

"well, it is what it is" - which is what exactly? - a totally fked Mazda 6 which had done me proud but won't pass an MOT so needs to go to the scrappy? - or the fact it is something not worth fixing with a tub of isopon and £40 tucked under the seatbelt come MOT time (ahem, joke, cough).

Is it the latest "fashion phrase" like "can I get"? - or am I being a bit Ambiwlans?.

[anonymous-user]

texaxile said:

Why is everyone using this phrase these days?.

Excuse my obvious ignorance, but I don't actually have a clue what it means.

I have heard it numerous times over the past month in referral to several situations which were all different, everything from staying late at work (we say that it's just bad luck but we tend to get away early more times than we get caught late, so fair do's) right up to someone speaking about the rusty and soon to be MOT failing wheelarches on my Mazda.

"well, it is what it is" - which is what exactly? - a totally fked Mazda 6 which had done me proud but won't pass an MOT so needs to go to the scrappy? - or the fact it is something not worth fixing with a tub of isopon and £40 tucked under the seatbelt come MOT time (ahem, joke, cough).

Is it the latest "fashion phrase" like "can I get"? - or am I being a bit Ambiwlans?.

With regards to the mazda, if someone says "it is what it is" they are trying to tell you it's a stty fked mazda and they are not surprised that it's failing the mot on rust.

[MYOB]

Flipping hate this phrase and I always question it when someone utters it to me. No-one can explain satisfactorily what they mean when they utter it.

Edited by MYOB on Saturday 13th July 23:46

[bristolbaron]

I’d go for ‘it is what it is’ over ‘fair do’s’

[texaxile]

5Cylinder said:

With regards to the mazda, if someone says "it is what it is" they are trying to tell you it's a stty fked mazda and they are not surprised that it's failing the mot on rust.

Coming from a man running a Focus.

Seriously though, I know it's fked, but "it is what it is"? really - why not say something sensible like - "scrap it, it's ste".

Edited by texaxile on Saturday 13th July 23:26

[Mike335i]

I don't like the phrase, but generally it means "there is sod all that we can do about the situation, so don't stress over it".

[glazbagun]

Pretty sure this phrase has been around for as long as I've been alive and I can imagine Marcus Aurelius using it in his day. I find it apt when people are annoying me with hand wringing and ranting about something beyond our control.

[texaxile]

My current partner says they use it a lot on "love island" whatever that is.

[Muzzer79]

MYOB said:

Flipping hate this phrase and I always question it when someone utters it to me. No-one can explain satisfactorily what they mean when they utter it.

Edited by MYOB on Saturday 13th July 23:46

+1

It’s either a paraphrase of:

“I can’t be arsed to solve the problem”
Or
“I don’t know how to solve the problem”

[227bhp]

It means 'WTF do you expect?'

Why do we have a thread on everyday sayings every week on here? Are you so bereft of common sense and imagination?

[Hoofy]

I think most people use it to help them justify what is going on so they can focus on something else that they can control. It's the philosophy of stoicism, so not a trendy modern thing.

[dvs_dave]

It’s an Americanism that sums up a situation that you need to accept as there’s nothing you do can about it/it’s pointless to try and do anything about it.

[dvs_dave]

227bhp said:

It means 'WTF do you expect?'

Why do we have a thread on everyday sayings every week on here? Are you so bereft of common sense and imagination?

Or the gumption to type the phrase into google and hit enter.

[xjay1337]

227bhp said:

It means 'WTF do you expect?'

Why do we have a thread on everyday sayings every week on here? Are you so bereft of common sense and imagination?

This.

Also why do you care what people say?

Do you complain about it to their face or just behind their back on PH?

[anonymous-user]

It's not new
As is often the case Techie Dave was ahead of the curve and leading the pack. I was using this phrase in 2003. I used it extensively when I was setting up a business. The reps of the equipment sellers used the phrase to me. I in turn used it to their fitters when they complained about having to work late to finish the install on time.
I would sometimes add a bit to it " and we are where we are"

[Cantaloupe]

What a pity that PH doesn't have a dedicated thread where easily annoyed
people can vent their spleen on minor things that annoy them. .

[gazza285]

1689, by an Englishman, according to the font of all knowledge that is Google...

[glenrobbo]

And it be on to this...

[poppopbangbang]

It's everywhere at the moment because the entire "cast" of Love Island say it twenty times an episode

[mike74]

texaxile said:

My current partner says they use it a lot on "love island" whatever that is.

... It is what it is.