around vs as near as dammit

around

adj
  • Present in the vicinity. 

  • Alive; existing. 

adv
  • Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people. 

  • So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction. 

  • From place to place. 

  • From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement. 

  • Nearly; approximately; about. 

  • So as to surround or be near. 

  • So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof. 

  • Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity. 

prep
  • Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something). 

  • At or to various places within. 

  • Centred upon; surrounding. 

  • Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point. 

  • Near; in the vicinity of. 

  • Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve. 

as near as dammit

How often have the words around and as near as dammit occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )