Same place I found this.
According to theNew York Times, the phraseit is what it isappeared as early as an 1949 article by J.E. Lawrence inThe Nebraska State Journal. Lawrence used the phrase when describing the difficulty faced duringfrontier-era life in Nebraska:
“New land is harsh, and vigorous, and sturdy. It scorns evidence of weakness. There is nothing of sham or hypocrisy in it.It is what it is, without apology.”
It is what it ispicked up steam in the 21st Century. A 2004USA Todayarticle by Gary Mihoces, titled “It is what it is,” pointed out that the phrase had become popular in sports about losses. Mihoces cited over a dozen examples of athletes and coaches using the phrase in that year alone.
We are talking Nukes, keep on topic.
