Meanings
- humorousExpressing reproach when somebody harms or damages something.
"This is why we can't have nice things," said a Mountain to a man, "You don't yet respect the impermanence of living ...and the permanence of life."
2020, Alex Almeida, Wandering Tales volumes 1 & 22 more examples
"This is why we can't have nice things," said Dorrie's father, breaking into her thoughts. "Like appliances." Dorrie glanced over at the corner of the ballroom-declared-kitchen to see him lifting several tacks out of a pot of clam chowder with a slotted spoon.
2016, Jen Swann Downey, The Ninja Librarians: Sword in the StacksThis is why we can't have nice things, darling / Because you break them, I had to take them away / This is why we can't have nice things, honey, oh / Did you think I wouldn't hear all the things you said about me? / This is why we can't have nice things
2017, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, “This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things”, in Reputation, performed by Taylor Swift - broadlysardonicExpressing reproach and resignation about human nature.
Origin
Said to have been popularized by American stand-up comedian Paula Poundstone.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
this is why we can't have nice things. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/this%20is%20why%20we%20can't%20have%20nice%20things
“this is why we can't have nice things.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/this%20is%20why%20we%20can't%20have%20nice%20things. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “this is why we can't have nice things,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/this%20is%20why%20we%20can't%20have%20nice%20things.
Source: this is why we can't have nice things on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.