One of those things

[Andy008]

Why the hell do people use this phrase?

"My house was set on fire in a vicious arson attack. It's just one of those things"

"I got drunk, had sex with a prostitute, and contracted gonorrhea. It's just one of those things"

"Terrorists hijacked two airliners and flew them into the World Trade Centre. It's just one of those things"

"I ran up thousands of pounds worth of credit card debt which I can't, and never intended to pay back. It's just one of those things"

Maybe I'm just extremely thick, but what are "these things" that everyone else except me seems to be referring to?

[Ouisch]

It's a way of rationalizing it, making you feel as though you're not being singled out for misfortune.  Also a defense mechanism - a show of bravado, assuring those around you that you're not taking your recent bad luck too seriously.  Similar to shrugging your shoulders and saying "sh*t happens."

(To be honest, I don't believe I've heard anyone describe 9/11 as "one of those things.")

[Gef]

It's just one of those things :-)