It Isn't What It Isn't.

I is for Is It?

It is what it is.  I don't know when this phrase entered popular conversation but it seems to be pretty pervasive these days.  In 2004 it was voted the most popular cliche by USA Today and its popularity has only increased since then.  I'm sure you've heard it, maybe you've even said it.  People use it to end conversations because it sounds conclusive.  I think.  That's what I've inferred from overhearing it used.  The Urban Dictionary seems to think it's a polite substitution for 'fuck it' in the business world, and although I don't know what the contributors to the Urban Dictionary know about the business world, but I tend to agree with them.  It's a subtle way of detaching yourself from a situation and declaring that you aren't going to deal with it.  An announcer for WEEI SportsRadio has a blog aptly named It Is What It Is.  What is it?  It's sports blog.  Evidently it's popular in sports as well which makes sense.  It seems like coaches and players alike would appreciate an opportunity to separate themselves from the blame for a loss.  No one wants to bear the wrath of the fans or owners.  'It is what it is' even made its way into alternative music proving it's not that alternative after all.  Lifehouse has a song about it called, you guessed it, It is what it is, in which they get it all wrong.  They actually claim it is what it isn't saying, 'It's complicated/so complicated.'  It's not that complicated at all, Lifehouse.  That's actually the thing that 'It' least is.  Here's an example of how it goes in every conversation, outside the office, off the field, and off the radio:

Lady: So my daughter's shacking up with that Emerson boy.  They're livin' together now.  Sleeping together too, I suppose.  Before long she'll probably have his baby in her. 
Other lady:  Well that's just too bad.  That boy used to be a good kid, came from good stock.  Whatever happened to him?  Musta been the influence of that good for nothing brother of his. 
Lady: I sure don't know, but...  It is what it is. 

"It is what it is."  Okay, but that isn't saying much, or really anything at all if you think about it.  It is what it is but what the fuck is it?  Sure, it is what it is, obviously; that's one helluva apparent tautology to be passing off as insight.  Every thing is what it is, things are not what they are not.  They can't be; it's impossible.  It is what it is.  No shit.  It also isn't what it isn't, but what's the point of saying so?  There isn't a point.  You're not saying anything at all.  And you know what they say, 'If you can't say anything, don't say anything at all.'  You're not adding to the conversation by finishing with a throw-away phrase like 'It is what it is.'  If you can't think of a way to end your conversation then maybe you should have never started it in the first place.  It is what it is.  It sounds final, for good reason because it's basically a surrender to the fates or the elements, or at least that's how people intend it.  I think.  It's implied that It is what it is and it can't be changed.  There's no going back now.  Like This Is It, it's the end, he's dead, nothing can be added to it.  Here are some substitutions for the increasingly popular 'It is what it is':

What are you going to do?
Outta my hands.
That's how the cookie crumbles.
Not my problem.

But these don't sound as catchy or as metaphysically enlightened as 'It is what it is' does.  The problem with 'It is what it is' - aside from it being a waste of breath and words - is that people don't even use it correctly.  As in the above completely fabricated interaction between a lady and another lady, people use 'it is what it is' when they most certainly can do something about the situation and in most cases should, but they don't have to because it is what it is and that's all it is.  I'm not advocating that everyone going around interfering in the lives of others but take a little responsibility.  I don't mean interceding or even throwing in your input.  No one wants to hear that.  This is not a call to action.  I'm an American, and I'm proud to be an American because we are an inactive bunch and I'm lazy too.  I get it.  I'm not inspired to save the world either, but I'll be the first say so.  All I ask is that you admit what you're implying with 'It is what it is'.  Say you don't want to do anything about it.  Say 'fuck it.'  Say it's a waste of time and not worth the effort because that's what it really is, and that isn't all that bad.