Yes, you'll find Arnold Zwicky has an excellent discussion of examples he's found of "what the powers that be, are, is..." He calls it the BEAREIS construction.
On 18 Apr 2013, at 10:44, Damien Hall <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Others have talked about the historical linguistics of _be_ in this phrase. On its use(s) as a set phrase, if you're interested in authoritative datings, a good list to ask would be the American Dialect Society List.
>
> http://linguistlist.org/lists/get-list-detail.cfm?List=1
>
> Most of what's done on there is lexicographical, and in particular one of the members is the editor of the _Yale Book of Quotations_, usually considered authoritative in these matters, I understand. So maybe try that book (or similar) first, and then ask the list.
>
> All the best
>
> Damien
>
> --
>
> Damien Hall
> Newcastle University (UK)
>
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