Denis: Language? It is what it is

Oct 13 2009 by Denis Kilcommons

A SURVEY in America found that “whatever" was the most annoying word in American English.

It came ahead of “anyway” and “it is what it is”.

“Whatever” is a throw-away response, usually resorted to by sullen teenagers like Harry Enfield’s Kevin who are being told off or who have lost an argument. Whatever? Then how about a clip round the ear, instead?

In second place is “anyway” which shows a distinct paucity of language amongst those who use it, a lack of vocabulary and a defective use of English grammar.

Anyway, in third place is the esoteric “it is what it is” which is a purely American phrase that was voted number one cliché of 2004 by the magazine USA Today. It apparently means: “It’s happened. I’m going to forget about it. I’m going to move on. There is nothing that can be done about it.”

It is what it is?

Give me strength.

There are other annoying Americanisms that were not listed in the survey, but then they wouldn’t be because they are accepted as Pavlovian social responses. I refer, of course, to the greeting “How are you today?”, the vacuous “you’re welcome” and the fatuous “have a nice a day”.