View Full Version : The whole nine yards
RYNCLEE
28th Oct 2000, 20:34
Is it true the above expression has to do with the area of a Liberator's bomb bay?
HugMonster
28th Oct 2000, 21:33
My understanding that this was a builders' measure - something to do with cubic volume of concrete or similar...
52049er
29th Oct 2000, 00:28
P51's carried their .50 calibre ammo in 27 foot long belts. Therefore to really let lose at a 109 was to "give him the whole 9 yards"
[This message has been edited by 52049er (edited 28 October 2000).]
Chatterbox
29th Oct 2000, 00:51
52049er
The aircraft is definitely right.
Not sure whether it was each ammo belt was that long or if it was the total length of ammo belts was 27'.
The ammunition belt explanation is the one most frequently given but it's far from definitive. In this respect the saying is in the same category as "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" which has plenty of suggested origins too.
You pays your money and you takes your choice as to what you believe.
------------------
Safety is no accident
addinfurnightem
29th Oct 2000, 12:43
Also it is the amount of material required to make a full sized kilt, in hard times they were made from less so "the whole nine yards" meant the real thing.
Navy men will tell you it is to do with the nine yardarms on a ship.
Take your pick but the expression was in use when my father was a lad, circa 1900 so the ammunition belt is unlikely.