I remember being on a bus once when a soldier, in full uniform, came on board.
There was a mother and a her young but vocal daughter just behind me.
“Whats that Ma ?” said the child, timorously.
“Thats a soldier Pet” said the mother absently
“Would he go near me” said the child in some fear.
“He would not !” said the mother, shocked and looking searchingly at the child.

It also struck me as an odd thing for the child to say.
Until I reversed it.
Think of all the times a child, going down a street for example, sees, again for example, a large dog.
What does the Mother say to reassure but;
“OK love, he won’t go near you”
We don’t always understand when words or phrases,which live on only in their negatives, are used in their positives.
Some great words have been lost in this way, and as now I have people coming to dinner tonight I must cease blogging and and try and make the house lapitated .