Dressed up to the nines
Posted by Stan on November 08, 2004
This site suggests that the derivation of this phrase concerns tailors and their work.
Over twenty years ago I was taught that this phrase derived from a Middle English throwback to Anglo-Saxon, and that the phrase was a corruption of 'Dressed up to then eyenes' (sp?)which meant: 'Dressed up to the eyes' or fully kitted out in good clothing.
Which is right?
- Dressed up to the nines ESC 08/November/04