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In reply to the discussion: The origin of phrases. [View all]

av8rdave

(10,662 posts)
4. It's fun to bring up "the whole nine yards," because there are so many origin stories
Mon Mar 11, 2024, 04:02 PM
Mar 2024

The two I have heard are that it takes nine yards of wool to make a proper kilt (I really like that one), and supposedly the WWII bomber machine gun ammo belts were 9 yards long. When you really wanted to go after the enemy (when would you not?) you would give him the whole nine yards.

I’ve heard several other origins, all of which I’ve forgotten.

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