An expression which is increasingly heard these days on television and in political comment is the rather cryptic “it is what it is”. Not exactly an illuminating observation, and it prompts the question, “But, what is it?” Apparently it means a certain situation that cannot be changed however much you want and carries an element of resignation. Politicians like the expression partly because it sounds much better than the traditional “no comment” when they’re asked an awkward question. Even better it usually brings the questioning to an abrupt halt. It is of course not an entirely satisfactory …