Stefan wrote:
Jim Logajan schrieb:

"near miss" collision synonym
And this was returned as the first result:
http://freethesaurus.net/s.php?q=collision

If a free web site with unknown sources claims so, then is *must* be
true.

Amusing. Please note that URL proves someone assumed "near miss" was a
synonym for "collision" and entered that conclusion into that web site. So
I take it as a given that someone misunderstood the generally accepted
meaning of the idiom. It's one datum against continued use of "near miss."

On the other hand, the OED (Oxford English Dictionary, the big one)
says: "near miss, a shot that only just misses a target"
But since it's neither on the web nor free, I wouldn't trust it.

"Locus ab auctoritate est infirmissimus"

The idiom is probably confusing to people learning the
English language.

Well, English was only the third language I've learn't in school. But
I must admit that I have never been particularly confused by the
difference between near and nearly.

I already noted one entity claiming "near miss" was a synonym for
"collision" so your non-confusion is not really relevant. The issue isn't
about our definition.

The fact that this thread even exits is another datum against continued use
of the idiom.

But go ahead and use "near miss" instead of simply "miss" or "near
collision." If it means that much to everyone, feel free to encourage
people in using it. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of progress.