Where does the saying 'the whole nine yards' come from?

Answer 1

The phrase "the whole nine yards" means "completely, the whole, everything" - e.g.:

"I was mugged. They took my wallet, my keys, my shoes, my coat - the whole nine yards!"

The origins of the expression are unknown, but various theories are popularly held as to the root of it. One of the more common of these is that the expression dates from the Second World War, where the "nine yards" was the full length of a machine-gun ammunition belt, and to "go the full nine yards" was to use it up in its entirety. The expression, however, has only been dated back to 1966 (in U.S. Air Force slang recorded in Vietnam) and it is unlikely it could have been in common use in the 1940s without being recorded either then or in the next twenty years.

The phrase could also be attributed to the tailoring industry, in which a quality suit of clothing required nine yards of material. To tailor a quality suit "takes the whole nine yards."

Other suggested origins have included sources as diverse as the size of cement mixers, the length of bridal veils, the manufacture of kilts, the length of cloth bolts, and the structure of certain sailing vessels (where "yard" is short for yardarm, not for the distance).

Another explanation is that the term is a sarcastic reference to American football, where ten yards is the length of a first down. With running nine yards being no real achievement, to say that someone ran 'the whole nine yards' would be to say that they almost achieved something.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Whole_Nine_Yards

Answer 2

I know it as from american football. The person with the ball makes a 9 yard dash and has to dodge others. Making the whole nine yards means they reach the touch down point - maybe a metaphor for success!!>

Answer 3

During WW2 the 50 caliber machine guns' ammo came on 9 yard belts. So saying you gave them the whole nine yards meant that you shot a whole belt at the enemy.

Answer 4

Construction.. The standard concrete delivery/mixing truck has a capacity of 9 cubic yards. Thus, -" the whole nine yards" is used to express any of life's events that are at full capacity...

Answer 5

Here's a long discussion about the possible origins from Michael Quinion, one of the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/nineyards.htm

Answer 6

Tailoring

Answer 7

See http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-whole-nine-yards.html - it's too long winded to explain!

Answer 8

everyone's answer is different!
i always thought it was BASEBALL
nine yards to home plate