Q
Why do we say 'the whole nine yards'?
A
Expert Answer
Origin disputed: possibly from WWII machine gun ammunition belts (27 feet = 9 yards), concrete truck capacity, or Scottish kilts using 9 yards of fabric. First attested in the 1960s. It means going all out or completing something fully.
Key Insight
Origin disputed: possibly from WWII machine gun ammunition belts (27 feet = 9 yards), concrete truck capacity, or Scottish kilts using 9 yards of fabric.
Topics