exactly what does "possession is nine tenths the law" mean?

Answer 1

The term refers to personal property. We generally don't carry around receipts or proof of ownership for our personal belongings, like jewelry, clothing, shoes, watches, sunglasses, etc. (vehicles are one exception because we usually have registration papers), so if someone were to claim that something you have belongs to them, they have to prove that the item belongs to them with something tangible, like a receipt. If you have the item in your possession, you don't have any obligation to prove it belongs to you until someone else produces proof that it belongs to them.

There are exceptions and conditions, like property that has been reported stolen. Generally, for example, you don't report your own tv stolen, then take it to a pawn shop.

Answer 2

It's an antiquated principle in which the person who had possession of an object was presumed to be the owner and has control over its destiny. So If you and some other guy are fighting over a slice of pizza, and me, the cop, walks up to see what the disturbance is. The other guy grabs the slice and takes a big 'ole slobbery bite out of it. He just exercised that 9/10's principle. Now in this day and age - You can show me a reciept proving you bought the pizza and I'll take the bum to jail for swiping your pie and causing a disturbance.

Answer 3

It is actually more of a cliche or something uttered when someone wants to keep something they know does not truly belong to them. Someone borrows your favorite sweater then refuses to return it ... you ask them and your jerky former friend says "well, possession is 9/10th of the law."

See the links below, too, for answers.

Answer 4

If smebody steals something it is much harder to get back than if you kept possession to start with. Even now recovery can be expensive and frustrating in regards to property.

Answer 5

That means you get to eat the KFC chicken but leave the bones.