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Subject:Re: Marvel at my stupidity From:Darren Barefoot <dbarefoot -at- MPSBC -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 24 Aug 1999 13:51:02 -0700
Hi,
I just pulled these off dejanews.com, so I can't verify that either are
remotely true. Nonetheless, they're compelling:
"This term is an old British sailing expression. The "Whole Nine Yards"
refers to having all nine sails opened on the yard-arms. This is three sails
each on a three-masted scooner."
"The only answer I know of is that during WWII the ammunition belts on
American fighters were 9 yards. When a pilot would come back, he would say
he shot the whole nine yards." DB.
-----Original Message-----
From: barry -dot- kieffer -at- EXGATE -dot- TEK -dot- COM [mailto:barry -dot- kieffer -at- EXGATE -dot- TEK -dot- COM]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 1999 1:43 PM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Re: Marvel at my stupidity
Maybe someone could enlighten me, what does "The Whole Nine Yards" mean?
In football it takes the whole ten yards for a first down.