Cliché Watch

'It Was What It Was, I'm Just Moving On'

Benjamin F. Carlson Sep 15, 2009
The New York Times editorial board gives Serena Williams a royal tongue-lashing for turning her would-be apology after she berated a lineswoman into a litany of sports-apology clichés. She gasped a few "faux zen" pseudo-apologies, they say, without actually admitting she was wrong. Here's a sampling:
"It was what it was"
"I just go for it"
"It was what it was"
"I'm moving on"
"I don't remember [what she said to the line judge] anymore. I was in the moment."
Athletes who have taken the high road aren't always better off. Some of those who were more honest in admitting to mistakes--such as Alex Rodriguez--have still been raked over the coals.

The best approach may have come from Manny Ramirez after he tested positive this year for a steroid-masking drug: fess up, don't skimp on the apologies, play dumb about the details, and move on.

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