"It is what it is."
It is not what it was. It is what it never should have been.
The phrase is hereby banned from public life in America. You have been warned. Those who ignore this edict will be challenged, asked to define terms. ("Uh, WHAT is it -- this thing that it is?")
In the beginning, back in the mists of time earlier this decade, perhaps this was meant an expression of almost zen-like acceptance. A Gertrude Stein moment of satori. Now it is a watchword for complacency and sloppy thought, an off-the-shelf excuse. I will abide it no more. I refuse to record it or perpetuate it.
Grammatical variants offered with ironic intent should be tolerated.
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3 comments:
I propose extending the ban to this sister-phrase of-sorts, this bumbled preface, this little verbal stubbed toe:
"The thing is, is..."
Agree. It's an insipid phrase that's used way too much nowadays.
I myself have been trying to work the phrase "kick it!" (in all its various meanings) into conversations.
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