While walking to the end of a street to understand why two houses are built on the property at 514 Mohawk Road, trying to determine the covenant/neighbourhood agreement concerning construction projects, it occurred.

It?

Yes, it is what it is.

The awful, dreaded word that hangs in the back of the throat of any [North American] English teacher trying to convince students to think and write more creatively, succinctly and specifically.

Then the band nerd walked into the picture.

What is it about that image?

Thing?

No.

That?

No.

It?

Yes.

Semi-professional game show contestants.

It is a subclass all its own.

You don’t need a degree in geotechnical terminology.

The school of hard knocks or Imagineering will do.

I ought to know.  My cousins, aunt and uncle starred on “The Family Feud” many moons ago.

Once you’re part of the system, you’re it.

The next big thing.

“IT” in bright lights at the top of the cinema marquee.

More important than a marquis.

Marked for life.

In front of the camera rather than the staff of anonymous faces behind it.

A mover and a shaker.

A veritable moviemaker.

From then on, you’re the big cheese, the rumble in the concrete jungle, the jingle singer, the single jangle, the bauble, the bangle and the face that inspires the candlestick lighter.

You ask Franklin Graham to produce the names of people he says are controlling your government’s leaders.

You ask, “Is this it?”

It is.

Must be, ’cause Putin’s in Serbia and W’s making the speaker circuit pay dividends.

It.

I. T.

Information technology?

Could be.

What’s next?

Bangladesh.

Bang the desk!

Have we diverted you long enough to complete a task under your nose so we can let you get back to the last news item that seemed so important at the time?

Yes, we have.

There’s always something else that’s it.

Of course, that’s it!

You didn’t think that iron ore mine would last forever, did you, Fe Maiden?

Every Lord of the Flies concedes defeat at the feet of the next ruthless leader.

We cheer for the power of the people but’s it’s the law of the jungle that rules us all.

Will your government ever balance the books or keep cooking them on a backburner?

Guess what – tag, you’re it!