Unnecessary Time Precision
Rincewind: Exactly how long have you been a barbarian hero? —Sourcery, Terry Pratchett
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Alice asks Bob how long something has been going on. Bob asks Alice what time/day it is, and Alice tells him.
Bob's response then reveals that whatever information Alice gave him is irrelevant.
Not to be confused with Ludicrous Precision.
Film
- The Little Rascals movie:
Butch: When's the last time we beat you up? |
- Scrooged: "Listen, I know I haven't talked to you in... *checks watch* ...about 10 or 15 years, but..."
- In Woody Allen's Love and Death:
Countess Alexandrovna: How long has it been since you've made love to a woman? |
Literature
- Terry Pratchett uses this trope regularly.
- In addition to the quote from Sourcery...
- In Interesting Times, Rincewind asks Cohen the Barbarian how old he is. What century is it? Ninety to 95 years.
- In Night Watch, Vimes asks when Dibbler Enterprises, Est. was established. What year is it? Tuesday.
Live-Action Television
Alan: How about this: When was the last time you called her just to see how she was doing? |
- Friends, "The One With The Thumb":
Joey: So when do we get to meet the guy? |
Radio
- Adventures in Odyssey "Aloha Oy!"
Donna: How many years have you lived in Hawaii Mr. Iowa? |
Web Original
Washington: How long have you been here? |
- Llamas with Hats
- While not technically time-based, this conversation rings of it:
Paul: ...Where are all the other lifeboats, Carl? |
Western Animation
- Frisky Dingo, Second season:
Interviewer: Well, it's been a year now- |
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