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Etymology (Meaning of Words)
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About Ted Nesbitt
Expertise
I have an interest in the meanings of words and phrases, as well as how and when they became part of the English language. I enjoy researching idioms, colloquialisms, dialects, and obscurities of all kinds. I prefer short questions on a particular subject, and I will not accept lengthy research projects or term papers. NOTE: ALLEXPERTS CLAIMS THAT I TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN AND FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH. I DO NOT. ALLEXPERTS REFUSES TO DELETE THE LATIN-TO-ENGLISH SERVICE -- ONE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE. TRUST ME ON THIS: ALLEXPERTS IS WRONG. I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LANGUAGE. LOOK FOR A LANGUAGE EXPERT INSTEAD. ETYMOLOGY AND TRANSLATING SERVICES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. ALLEXPERTS SHOULD KNOW THAT. ALLEXPERTS DOES NOT KNOW THAT. I HAVE TRIED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THEM TO CHANGE. THEY WILL NOT. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN.

Experience
I am the bibliographic instruction and reference librarian at a public
college. My master's thesis concerns William Faulkner's tragic novels. I formerly taught advanced placement English at two schools in the Philadelphia area.
I have been a member of the grammar and writing section of Allexperts
for more than a year.



Education/Credentials
Masters degrees in English, philosophy, and library science.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Etymology (Meaning of Words) > derivation of a phrase

Etymology (Meaning of Words) - derivation of a phrase


Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 4/13/2007

Question
In your opinion, what is the derivation of the phrase: "The whole nine yards."

Thank you,

Peter

Answer
Peter:

I don't have "opinions" about word or phrase origins.  I do my best to give the facts . . . ONLY.

I have had this question numerous times.  The various dictionaries, including "The Oxford English Dictionary,"  give only educated guesses  

NO ONE KNOWS FOR CERTAIN.

However, the best explanation -- with several possibilities -- is found at the "Phrase Finder" site of Sheffield University in England.

Here is the actual page you want:

<http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-whole-nine-yards.html>

Ted Nesbitt

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