For anyone that don't get the reference: This is from Hitchikers guide to the galaxy, which goes on to spend a few paragraphs describing how to fly by throwing yourself at the ground and missing it. As it says, "clearly, it is the second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties".

By the way, it's also exactly how orbiting works. The Moon and all the satellites are trying to fall down on us constantly, but they go so fast they actually keep on missing :).