Blame ESPN shouter Stephen A. Smith; or pin it on our age of ubiquitous dissembling, when a mere "frankly" doesn't cut it; or say Gelf is just late to notice it; but, quite frankly, "quite frankly" is everywhere. As clichéd phrases go, it's especially annoying and meaningless. Here are some recent instances:

The Senate, I think, was quite frankly intimidated by having hundreds of thousands of people in the streets waving flags, but I don't think we should pass legislation or devise legislation based on how many people you can get out into the street.

—Republican Rep. Peter T. King on "Fox News Sunday," according to the Washington Times.

I'd rather be doing other things than this, quite frankly, but it's time. It's time to get the story out. I'm looking forward to it.

—Former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling, according to the Houston Chronicle.

There are two words you never hear Terry Francona say because, quite frankly, the things most associated with them go against the organization's offensive philosophy: small ball.

—Hartford Courant writer David Heuschkel. Too bad those two words aren't "quite frankly."

Quite frankly, I'm not good at jingles. … The editing, quite frankly, is accurate. … I also think that to claim they're the only restaurant to sell natural chicken is, quite frankly, dishonest.

—Ousted Apprentice contestant Bryce Gahagan, in an interview with TV Guide.

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