The whole nine yards Posted by Donald Martin
on November 10, 1999
I have seen and heard messages about this phrase coming from cement
trucks and scottish kilt makers, but I believe this to be wrong.
The phrase was made in reference to gunners in World War 2. The
ammunition belts of a 50 calliber machine gun (used to shoot at
enemy planes) were 27 feet long (nine yards). If the gunner used
his entire belt of ammunition on a plane, he was giving him, "The
Whole nine yards." If this is not true, I would like someone to
send me another answer with some supporting evidence. I always thought
that this was just common knowledge?
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