When did the saying, "it is what it is" become popular and what exactly does...?

Sounds like something somebody would say when they can't be bothered explaining themselves and I guess it came into use by the same people who shorten every word or phrase possible ~ that irks me :)

It does have a meaning but some sources have it going back to the 1960s but this can be literately translated to mean since you can't change the outcome of something just accept it for what it is. This sight will help you understand it better. Another way to explain it is like this, if you cannot change the outcome of something then it is what it is and you have to learn to deal with it the best way that you can. An example is this- If a person is bi-polar or Schizophrenic then it is what it is an there is no way to change the outcome of it, so one has to deal with it in other ways to make it easier for themselves.

Most of the 'clever' responses to this are lamer than the expression itself--and never come up with a date or era. #

I have only a vague memory of ever hearing this phrase so it can't be that popular in my part of the world

It never became popular, thank goodness! It's used by people who don't know or wont take the trouble to explain something.

It is what it is was said by Moses directly following his conversation with a burning bush that claimed to be named I Am, when someone asked who he was speaking to.

Book of Matthew dunlay verse 1, and Jesus raised his hands and answered to the crowed " it is what it is".

I hate when people say that. It just means they have nothing clever to say.

Of course it is what it is!! What else could it be???