English
Etymology
Unknown, but many theories exist.<ref>cite web
| last = Adams
| first = Cecil
| date = 1987-04-10, with updates since
| url = http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_252.html
| title = The Straight Dope: What's the origin of "the whole nine yards"?
| accessdate = 2007-06-21
</ref>
<ref>cite web
| last = Quinion
| first = Michael
| date = 1999-03-20, last updated 2005-06-30
| url = http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/nineyards.htm
| title = World Wide Words: The Whole Nine Yards
| accessdate = 2007-06-21
</ref>
<ref>cite web
| last = Martin
| first = Gary
| url = http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-whole-nine-yards.html
| title = The whole nine yards
| accessdate = 2007-06-21
</ref>
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.�<ref>cite web
| last = Zimmer
| first = Benjamin
| date = 2007-06-21
| url = http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/004623.html
| title = Language Log: Great moments in antedating
| accessdate = 2007-06-21
</ref>
The synonymous variant �all nine yards� appeared in a letter from Gale F. Linster to the editor of the 1962-12 Car Life.<ref>cite web
| last = Zimmer
| first = Benjamin
| date = 2007-11-12
| url = http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/005107.html
| title = Language Log: Great moments in antedating, part 2: all nine yards of goodies
| accessdate = 2007-11-13
</ref>
Idiom
the whole nine yards
- idiom all the way|All the way; with everything done completely or thoroughly.
#: They really went the whole nine yards with this party.
- idiom And everything. Often used, like etc.|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.
References
<references />
Category:English idioms
|
