Why is it when two things almost hit, its called a near miss. Shouldn't it be called a near hit?

Posted 3 months ago

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koyptakh

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Hi stormhopkins
I think you are onto something but the problem is not the miss. A miss is a miss and so miss is the right name for it not a near hit. However it is not a near miss is it. Nor is it a hit in any sense.
The solution is to call it a close shave.
:)

Posted 3 months ago

Other 9 Answers to Why is it when two things almost hit, its called a near miss. Shouldn't it be called a near hit?

underconstruction	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 9:36PM LOL, you are right. But, hey, this is English, remember ? One of the hardest languages to learn . "There are no eggs in an eggplant, no apple or pine in pineapple". Rated: +2Vote for this!
tallboy61	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:13AM thats like sayimng is a glass half empty or half full , depends on how you look on life. A miss isa best Rated: +1Vote for this!
nakedcraig	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:13AM is the glass half full or half empty? it always depends on the situation. Rated: +1Vote for this!
neo7773	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:20AM I agree with tallboy61. It depends on how you look at it whether you're a pessimist or an optimist. Rated: +1Vote for this!
Coyotegray	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:24AM You could say "nearly hit" that would be accurate. But "near hit" would be wrong. Here's why. It is not a hit, it is a miss. It is a miss in which the two objects got very near to each other. So, it is a "near miss". Rated: +1Vote for this!
trixiegirl	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:41AM If I was nearly hit by a large flying object, I want it to be a near miss...I don't want the constant reminder I was almost hit. Silly yes, but I'm a bit kooky so those around me would accept this reasonong. Rated: +1Vote for this!
FredTrellis	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 11:47AM It's a shortening, which is common in language development, and we have forgotten the original form, but not forgotten the meaning. "It was very near, but it still missed" becomes "It was near, but a miss" becomes "It was a 'near but miss' situation (close but no cigar)" becomes "It was a 'near' miss" Then, as we often do, ignore the punctuation, and hey presto! Plus of course, being near to a Miss is always an attractive prospect. Rated: +1Vote for this!
LawRaJayne	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 12:16PM no because if it was a near hit, you'd have hit it. but if you nearly miss something, it's a near miss, because you nearly hit it, but you missed. Rated: +1Vote for this!
axeman66	Posted Jul 28th, 2009 at 12:35PM the only thing i can think of is that they did miss, but came near to each other. Rated: +1Vote for this!

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