One that comes to mind for me: “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is not always true. Maybe even only half the time! Are there any phrases you tend to hear and shake your head at?

  • Boozilla@lemmy.worldEnglish
    722·
    2 months ago

    Not a fan of “it is what it is”. It’s called a thought-terminating cliche. It often means “I’m tired of talking about this, do it my way” when my boss says it.

    • flerp@lemm.ee
      59·
      2 months ago

      I’ve always liked it. I guess it depends who is saying it because when my old boss said it, it meant more like, “this is the situation we’re in, let’s not waste time arguing about why it is the situation and let’s just focus on dealing with it and going forward”

      • 9point6@lemmy.world
        20·
        2 months ago

        Yeah it can have wildly different meanings depending on the circumstances in which it’s said. It can be “well we can’t change it, may as well get on with life” all the way to “well this discussion is not gonna change anything, let’s get on with fixing it”. Very similar, but polar opposite sentiments.

          • forrgott@lemm.ee
            8·
            2 months ago

            First one is saying there’s no point fixing anything, just get over it. Second one saying fixing it might suck, let’s fix it anyway.

            Very, very different…

              • forrgott@lemm.ee
                3·
                2 months ago

                I personally would only use the original phrase to imply what you’re saying. This is why context matters so much I think; some people just use it as a thought terminating cliche, I’m afraid.

      • Boozilla@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        2 months ago

        Sure, not everything needs to be picked apart in detail. But, I never use the phrase myself. As someone else ITT pointed out, context matters, too.

        I tend to say things like, “we should fix it now, worry about blame later”. Or something along those lines.

            • Enkrod@feddit.org
              1·
              2 months ago

              The basic law of Cologne:

              §1: Et es wie et es. („It is how it is.“) Look the facts in the eye, you can’t change them.

              $2: Et kütt wie et kütt. („It’ll come as it comes.“) Accept the inevitable, you can’t change fate.

              §3: Et hätt noch emmer joot jejange. („Everything turned out fine in the past.“) What turned out okay yesterday, will still work tomorrow. Situationally: We know it’s shit, but it’s the best we can do with what we have.

              §4: Wat fott es, es fott. („What’s gone is gone.“) Don’t cling to the past.

              §5: Et bliev nix wie et wor. („Nothing ever stays the same.“) Be open to new developments.

      • Bobmighty@lemmy.world
        2·
        2 months ago

        I use it for things that can be talked about for ages, but nothing can be changed about them. I don’t use it to terminate discussion, but more of a well understood quick hand for acceptance and sometimes resignation.

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      “Agree to disagree” is even worse, especially since often the thing you’re arguing about is an empirical goddamn fact and they are not entitled to “disagree” about it. That’s not having a difference of opinion; that’s just fucking being wrong!

    • FreshLight@sh.itjust.works
      4·
      2 months ago

      I use it when people keep complaining about situations they cannot change. Yes, we fell in the hole, yes it hurt, please just let’s focus on how to get out.

      “Ah fuck, this hole sucks! Who even dug that here!? My shoes are dirty, my pants are a mess!” …

      “Well… It is what it is. Let’s get out.”

    • Maeve@kbin.earth
      21·
      2 months ago

      Interesting. I use it to indicate I may not like a situation, but I have to play the have I was dealt to the best of my ability, and sometimes… Well to quote lyrics, “got to know when to hold cem, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run.”