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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?
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?
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Date: Nov. 21st, 2003 05:55 pm (UTC)From: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.