what does "dressed to the nines" mean?
2007-02-19 04:55:55 · 11 answers · asked by Karoline H 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/dressed-to-the-nines.html
2007-02-19 04:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by Mangy Coyote 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Defined loosely as "all spiffed up" in formal clothing, the phrase "dressing to the nines" may have come from the sharply dressed British Army¿s 99th Regiment of Foot back in the 1850s. Only problem with that theory is the phrase first appears back in 1793 in the poetry of Robert Burns.
Some speculate it's a reference to the nine Muses of Greek mythology, while others theorize that because nine is the highest single-digit number, it symbolizes the best or perfection. Still others speculate the saying is related to the nine yards of fabric needed to make a suit.
2007-02-19 05:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by I See You 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wearing fashionable clothing; dressed to attract attention.
Origin: There are a number of theories about the word "nines" in this idiom that dates back at least to the 18th century. Two possibilities are that nine is a mystical or sacred number in numerology (3x3) and represents perfection. Another theory is that the saying comes from and Old English expression "dressed to then eyne" which meant dressed fashionably from your toes right up to the eyes ("to then eyne"). Over time the letter "n" shifted one space the right and "eyne" became "neyne" and eventually dressed to kill." Kill means to impress someone, not to murder them.
2007-02-19 05:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by greth_jonathan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an 18th century saying. "The nine" or "the nines" were used to signify "superlative" in numerous other contexts. Theories include: 9, being the highest single-digit number, symbolized the best.
So today we'd say something more like, "beslendent in bling". Just kidding. You get the idea though. ;)
2007-02-19 05:02:08 · answer #4 · answered by AMEWzing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever heard that other saying..."The whole nine yards" it means to the max...so that sounds like another version of that...dressed to nines sounds a lot like dressed to kill...meaning you look great...
2007-02-19 05:00:00 · answer #5 · answered by Curiously 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All dressed up, like an evening gown or tux with all the trimmings.
2007-02-19 04:58:45 · answer #6 · answered by Meg W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it means dressed the best possible, everything is best, perfect to some.
Like some would dress for an awards banquest: for example.
2007-02-19 04:59:18 · answer #7 · answered by Mystee_Rain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The site below gives the 'definition', but also goes into where the actual phrase originated.
2007-02-19 05:00:49 · answer #8 · answered by ff.ford1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dressed up very nicely
2007-02-19 04:58:35 · answer #9 · answered by BOBBY M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"All dolled up". It's in the song "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina"?
It's an old saying.
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2007-02-19 16:09:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋