(no subject)

[arethinn]

1) How is it that some cuts don't hurt until you notice that you've cut yourself?

2) I know that the reason "slim chance" and "fat chance" mean the same thing is because "fat chance" is sarcasm, but why do "as far as I can see/tell" and "as near as I can see/tell" also mean the same thing?

Comments

[evergrey.livejournal.com]

3) with horns like that, how would one rest on one's back? Or rest the back of one's head comfortably? :o

[arethinn]

Uhh... since when would a satyr be on their back, rather than on top?

(tone of the question mark is "uhh, here, have a humourous bullshit answer, does it work?" rather than "well duh")

[enotsola]

1 => I would think that it's because it doesn't really hurt, it's just psychological. I mean, I remember things like scraping my knee when I was younger, and it didn't hurt at all til I noticed I was bleeding, and then wow did it ever hurt. I think it can only be a psychological thing. "Oh shit, I'm bleeding, that must hurt! OW!" or something... then again, I could be crazy..

2 => English is crazier than I.

[doublefeh.livejournal.com]

re: 2) Here's a vaguely logical explanation. Possibly more logical than the actual etymology of the phrases.

When you say it's "As far as I can tell", it's like the truth is some distance away, and your understanding can only penetrate a certain portion of that distance. So 'as far as you can tell' only gives you perhaps a hazy or uncertain view of the truth.

When you say it's "As near as I can tell", It's like the truth is some distance away, and your understanding is like a bow shot. You can't necessarily shoot the target right on, but your shot lands near enough to the truth that you can't necessarily tell, from this distance, whether they are the same or not.

[ungarsfragile.livejournal.com]

How is it that some cuts don't hurt until you notice that you've cut yourself?

I imagine when our forebears were dealing with tigers and bears, it suited them best to not notice any injuries while running. However, they probably were the type to tend to their wounds when they had time to lounge around, seeing as how they got around to being our forebears.

[arethinn]

heh... you teh r0x0r.

:-P

[andrewjthomas.livejournal.com]

as per number 2:
the first phrase is for near-sighted people and the second is for far-sighted
those with 20/20 just know the truth all the time