I know two possible answers to this one but i should get some fun answers!. What was the origin of the saying "To give someone the full nine yards"Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>History> I wonder if Americans are any good at history trivia?Question: I wonder if Americans are any good at history trivia!? I know two possible answers to this one but i should get some fun answers!. What was the origin of the saying "To give someone the full nine yards"Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Meaning - All of it - full measure!. Origin - Of all the feedback that The Phrase Finder site gets this is the phrase that is asked about the most often!. At the outset it should be said that no one is 100% sure of the origin, although many have a fervent belief that they do!. These convictions are unfailingly based on no more evidence than 'someone told me'!. Abstract - Summary: Many people are convinced they know the origin of this expression, which has numerous speculative derivations, but aren't able to provide any documentary evidence whatsoever to support their belief of choice!. The earliest known citation of the phrase in print is from 1964, which argues strongly against any of the supposed mediaeval, Victorian or even World War II origins!. The weight of circumstantial evidence, based on the number of early citations, is that the phrase originated in the American military, although the context of the coinage is uncertain!. For the full story go to one of the websites below: http://www!.phrases!.org!.uk/meanings/the-w!.!.!. http://www!.straightdope!.com/classics/a2_!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I have alternative answers: 1!. A bolt of cloth had 9 yards on it!. (whole nine yards- I'll give it all to you for a reasonable price) 2!. Possible refers to the standard size of a cement tuck- 9 cubic yards!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I think it dates back to World War II!. When a pilot said he gave a target the 'whole nine yards', it meant he fired all his ammunition at the target!. And I believe the ammo belt was 9 yards long!.Www@QuestionHome@Com It come from the time when looms made cloth that was a maximum of 9 yards long!. If you got the full 9 yards, you got all of it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Machine gun ammo belts in WWII were 9 yrds long, term "gave them the full nine yards" meant you unleashed your entire fire power on the target!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Was it not a term to depict punishment of a seaman by lashing!?Www@QuestionHome@Com |