Is that a thing that happens?

English translation: Do people actually do that? Is that a thing?

14:23 Mar 22, 2017

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Business/Commerce (general)

English term or phrase: Is that a thing that happens?

Hello everyone,

"He wrote:
Just bought this hoping to be able to enjoy some ice cream while on a low-carb diet . . . too bad this “ice cream” (I put it in quotes because it tastes NOTHING like ice cream other than being cold) is absolutely disgusting! :( I got the “Cocoa Dough” version and literally licking the freezer burn “ice” shavings from the inside of the freezer would probably taste better than this! It’s DEFINITELY going back to the store for a refund!

I had a visceral negative reaction to this review for several reasons. First, the guy seems like a jerk. Second, he believes “nondairy dessert” equals ice cream, which places him in the “you get what you deserve” camp. Third, he wants to return something to a grocery store just because he didn’t like the taste. ***Is that a thing that happens?*** Is that doable? I’ve consumed dozens of grocery items I didn’t like over the years, but unless they were clearly defective in some way, I’ve never even considered asking for my money back".

Does the phrase in question mean "Does he usually do that?/Is he really going to do that?"
Or does it imply "Do most people usually do that?"

Thank you.

Mikhail Korolev KudoZ activity Questions: 2414 (none open) (10 closed without grading) Answers: 130
Local time: 18:30

Selected answer:Do people actually do that? Is that a thing?

Explanation:
"Is that a thing?" is a modern but increasingly common colloquial phrase that combines "Do/can people actually do that?" + "Seriously?" The "that happens" part sounds awkward and is not included in the standard phrase.

Google "is that even a thing" and variants to find references and analysis of this phrase from Cambridge to the New York Times.

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Note added at 2 days3 hrs (2017-03-24 17:42:09 GMT) Post-grading
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As I commented in one of my responses below, with this phrase one asks if something is possible as well as socially acceptable.

Selected response from:

12316323 (X)
Local time: 10:30

Grading comment

Many thanks to everyone.

Thank you, Kathryn.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +7

Do people actually do that? Is that a thing?

12316323 (X)

4 +2

Is that doable?

Jack Doughty

4 +1

Do people ever do that?

B D Finch

Answers

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

is that a thing that happens? Is that doable?

Explanation:
He repeats the same sense in his next sentence "is that doable?"
They both express surprise that it should be thought possible to return an item to a grocery store and demand your money back because you don't like the taste.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:30
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 126

21 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

is that a thing that happens? Do people ever do that?

Explanation:
This doesn't mean "Do people usually do that," but "Do people do that even occasionally/ever? The writer is expressing incredulity, which, I think, would be better expressed as "Do people ever do that?"

B D Finch
France
Local time: 17:30
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 56