George Carlin - Near Miss

George Carlin - Jammin' In New York [1992]

• Category

  Comedy

[jimmo42]

I thought a "near miss" was a transexual 10 minutes before the operation.

[psteverific]

It's funny when he says it, but it's really not that hard to get. The difference is intent.

If you are trying to hit something, and you miss by a small margin, it's a near hit.

If you are trying NOT to hit something, and you almost do, it's a near miss. Near refers to proximity in this case.

[suckmeballsalot]

Still doesn't make any sense. I understand what you said but what about when you actually hit?!?! near hit? no, cause he hit his mark so it's a near miss.

BOO YA!!!

[seriousguynogames3]

I think George understood what the phrase meant, as do most people, but that it's a silly use of the language that could be misconstrued and used in a funny way.

[Audrianna Cole]

Actually "near miss" is proper and not "hillbilly". "Hillbilly" is your interpretation of the words. haha! It's in the dictionary and uses the actual rules of English. A "near miss" means it's a miss that is near. You're confusing the words "near" and "nearly". You're also confusing the words "miss" and "missed". A "near miss" is a miss that was near. It's quite simple.. "Nearly missed" is a hit that was almost a miss. It's ok. Read a little more and you'll get it. ;)

[stubethis]

Sorry it appears you may add confusion.

Saying "...you tried to hit something (but nearly missed)" = you hit it.

Nearly hit = missed; yet sadly 'near hit' is equated as a 'hit.'

It seems a root cause may be the term 'narrowly missed' which some people having questionable communication sensibility have construed as a 'near miss' when they mean 'nearly hit.'

'Near miss' is an unfortunate hillbilly term with as much cred as 'near incident,' which is why it is absurdly funny a la George Carlin...

[janvictor1]

Its a near hit!!!

[tysoe27]

"Near miss" is NOT the same as "Nearly miss"

[KettleKorn8828]

That's how all of his fucking jokes are.

[psteverific]

Oh lighten up.

The first thing I said was it was funny.

[Peter Vann]

Why.....why must you dissect something thats meant to be a joke....you clearly must be a hipster devoid of any humour

[deathxcircle]

It's just a fucking joke. Fucking laugh already.