'With that Being Said' - the Most Overused Catchphrase of Today

The first time I became aware of this increasingly annoying saying was watching 'The Biggest Loser'. I'm sure it had been used before then, but it soon became a favorite of the large and emotional beings who frequent this particular show. I think...No, strike that....I hope that I have never used this saying. It shows great lack of imagination and is in reality only a replacement for the white noise that sometimes frequents the space between my ears when I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. It is usually used to contradict everything that has been said up to that date. So, take the 'Biggest Loser' - The conversation might go slightly like this at elimination night:

Large person 1: 'I've become really close to this person these past few weeks. He is a strong and proud person and I'm proud to know you brother' (even white people say this...it's amazing). 'I know he misses his kids'....(lip quiver)....'a lot! .....(stops to take a breath) and they need him to live....to be there for them'...(more lip quiverage).

Person about to be voted off!: Nods his head in appreciation, a slight smile appears followed by an odd frown as his frontal lobe starts putting 2 & 2 together.

Large person 1: Now thoroughly tearful...'You have been my rock man. I mean that. I love you like you were a member of my family, and I...I.. know you've said that you need to be in this competition. 657 pounds is a lot i know.'

Person about to be voted off!: Turns to face 'Alison' with the same expression my dog has when he's one block away from his Vet's office.

Large person 1: 'With that being said - I have to vote you off.'

Person now voted off!: 'Motherf****er' - Although he doesn't say this out loud.

So, ever since then this annoying phrase has been turning up more and more often.
'I love you...I love you, but with that being said....I hate you.'

So why do we use this expression. Well, I submit that it's slowly seeped into our subconscious from the T.V. screen and the inordinate amount of people who don't really know how to end a sentence, or segue themselves out the vomit-inducing diatribe they have doubtless spouted out prior to it's useage. It seems like the thing to say when you don't really know how to break bad news to someone, but it also seems to be saying that I'm (or you) are not really responsible for what they are about to say.

So: Everything you said up until using 'With that being said' was your truth, your real emotions, how you really felt, whilst everything AFTER 'With that being said' insinuates that you are somehow not responsible, that you have no choice but to say what is about to be said, which is (using the Biggest Loser as an example) nearly always negative.

Here's some more examples.

Husband to Wife: 'I have loved you for these past 20 years'....pause....'with that being said I want a divorce.'

Coach to best player: 'You have been our most consistent player this year'....pause....'with that being said I'm gonna have to let you go.'

God to Jesus: 'Forgive them for they know not what they do'....pause....'with that being said you're going to get nailed to a cross.'

and let us not forget 'American Idol' where judges will praise contestants before the inevitable 'With that being said'. So, every generation has it's saying and this appears to be ours, but it behooves us (I love that word) to try and be a bit more original and take ownership of what we say.