Two probably useless "whole nine yards" e-mails

[bapopik at AOL.COM]

>
> From: "Hughey, Ken" <Kenhughey at AOL.COM>
> Date: 2005/05/19 Thu PM 09:31:02 EDT
> To: NAMPOW at HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
> Subject: Re: Origin of "The Whole Nine Yards"
>
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> All,
>
> I can't provide documentation, but have it on somewhat substantial verbal
> sources that this term came about during wwII. The typical wwII fighter
> airplane--p-51, P-47, F-4-U, F-4F, etc., etc.--carried multiple 50 Cal.
machine
> guns. The bullets were belted together for loading and feeding into the gun
when
> it was firing. I don't know exactly how many rounds were in each belt which
> was  fitted so as to feed one gun, but the belt that went into the guns used
on
> P-51s  and P-47s, according to this verbal source, was about 27 feet
> long--nine yards.  Thus , when in early combat some of our early kills were
reported,
> the answer to  the debriefing question: "How many rounds did you fire in the
> burst that  resulted in this kill?" was: "I gave the &*%$# the WHOLE NINE
> YARDS!!!!!"
>
> Given the nature of things, regardless of the credibility that I place on
> this version, I haven't even attempted to document it, and it must, therefore,

> be treated by the inquirer as hearsay.
>
> GBU  All
>
> Ken Hughey
>
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From: HELM, GLENN NAVHISTCENTo: Bapopik at aol.comCc: Walker, Judith CIV NAS PENSACOLA FLBcc:  Subject: Popik - whole nine yardsDate: Thu, 19 May 2005 13:07:51 -0400    Regretfully, we have no Navy or civilian newspapers from Pensacola.  But, with regard to the origin of the expression "the whole nine yards," we checked the few slang dictionaries we have in our collection, but found nothing conclusive. The Dictionary of Slang  and Unconventional English (New York: Macmillan, 1984) says on page 793 that the earliest usage they can identify is in a Royal Air Force context from the late 1970s, as used by a G.D. Wilson, but provide no further information. The Cassell Dictionary of Slang (London: Cassell, 1998) says on page 1284 that the expression dates from the 1960s, but gives no evidence of this. The Oxford English Dictionary (vol.4) on page 1287 indicates that the first known published example of the use of the expression "the whole nine yards" occurred in 1970 in an issue of the magazine Word Watching. Large academic and public libraries have many more slang dictionaries than we have in our library. It is normally much easier to determine the early usage of individual words rather than expressions employing several words. For single words, the multi-volume Oxford English Dictionary is extremely useful and comprehensive for individual words. Best wishes,Glenn E. Helm Director, Navy Department Library 805 Kidder Breese Street SE Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5060 (202) 433-4132  -----Original Message-----From: HELM, GLENN NAVHISTCEN Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:45To: Navy Library PFSubject: FW: CORRYER information and how to visit library in Pensacola -----Original Message-----From: Walker, Judith CIV NAS PENSACOLA FL Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 10:14To: HELM, GLENN NAVHISTCEN; Bapopik at aol.comSubject: FW: CORRYER information and how to visit library in PensacolaMr. Helm, your name was given to me by Ms. Nellie Moffitt of the Naval General Library Program.  Unfortunately, there are no local copies of the Corry
her here in Pensacola (neither at the Museum or NASP).  Because of hurricane damage, we have recently lost all hard copies of the GOSPORT; indeed, the facility is currently closed and cannot be accessed because of mold so I'm unable to get to the microform either.  Repairs are scheduled to be completed by Sep 6.  Therefore, I'm referring Mr. Popik's request to you.  I would appreciate your sending your sending a copy of the response to me so I can put the information in my vertical file.     Oh, BTW, the hours of operation of the museum are 0900-1700 daily (closed Christmas and New Year's).  The NASP library's hours are TBD. Thank you for the help. Judith A. Walker