The Whole 9 Yards.

Posted by Joe Pessell on January 13, 2000

In Reply to: The Whole 9 Yards. posted by Josh Perlman on January 09, 2000

: No, no, no, "The Whole 9 Yards" is a referance to Football, (American) where the Offense has to move Ten yards to continue their chance to get a goal, and if they get all 9, they can punt it/get the last yard. Very rare for a team to go 9 yards in one go. Thus "Go the Whole 9 Yards" means "Do Your Best Work Yet"

Despite the fact that every team needs TEN yards to acheive a first down in American football, you seem very sure that this must be the source of the phrase. Can you cite us a specific instance of it's first use? FYI, ask record rusher Ron Dayne how rare a nine yard gain is. I believe he has done it a few times...