the whole nine yards
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
The origin is unknown, but many theories exist.[1] [2] [3] The earliest known print appearance in these senses is in an article by Stephen Trumbell in the 1964-04-25 Tuscon Daily Citizen, titled “Talking Hip in the Space Age” and discussing NASA jargon: “‘Give ’em the whole nine yards’ means an item-by-item report on any project.”[4] The synonymous variant “all nine yards” appeared in a letter from Gale F. Linster to the editor of the 1962-12 Car Life.[5] There is a supposition that "The whole nine yards" refers to the length of the ammunition belts of the guns on WWII bombers- 9 yards. "Give em the whole nine yards" would then mean give them everything you've got.
[edit] Noun
- (idiomatic) All the way; with everything done completely or thoroughly.
- They really went the whole nine yards with this party.
- (idiomatic) And everything. Often used, like etc., to finish out a list.
- They put up balloons, baked a cake, sent out invitations—the whole nine yards.
- They have books, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, the whole nine yards.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Notes:
- ^ Adams, Cecil (1987-04-10, with updates since). "The Straight Dope: What's the origin of "the whole nine yards"?." URL accessed on 2007-06-21.
- ^ Quinion, Michael (1999-03-20, last updated 2005-06-30). "World Wide Words: The Whole Nine Yards." URL accessed on 2007-06-21.
- ^ Martin, Gary. "The whole nine yards." URL accessed on 2007-06-21.
- ^ Zimmer, Benjamin (2007-06-21). "Language Log: Great moments in antedating." URL accessed on 2007-06-21.
- ^ Zimmer, Benjamin (2007-11-12). "Language Log: Great moments in antedating, part 2: all nine yards of goodies." URL accessed on 2007-11-13.
