The Whole Nine YardsThe surprising origin of a popular American phrase.

From the show

History of Phrases

The expression 'the whole nine yards' is often linked to WWII ammo belts or Scottish kilts, but these stories are all myths. The saying, which means 'everything,' has a much more mundane, yet fascinating, history. The phrase's true origin likely has nothing to do with any specific measurement. Instead, it seems to have emerged as an arbitrary, folksy way to say 'the whole lot,' similar to 'the whole shebang.' The stories we tell about it are more revealing than the truth itself.