deuces wild Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Dressed "To the Nines"It isn't unusual to overhear a person who has dressed up in formal attire described as "dressed to the nines". This term actually originated as part of the "dressed ship" tradition during the era when British "ships of the line" would parade for the Monarch. Ships of the line were traditionally rigged with three masts, and each mast would be configured with a main yard, a topgallant yard, and a topsail yard. The three yards on each of the three masts were casually referred to as "the nines". When passing in parade before the King or Queen, the ship's company would don formal uniforms and as many of the crew as could be accommodated would climb to the yards, stand shoulder to shoulder at attention, and salute the Monarch as the ship passed the royal reviewing stand. The naval ships were not merely "fully dressed", but with the addition of saluting sailors standing on the various yards they were literally "dressed to the nines." :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Riveting stuff that DW. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 NOW we know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 NOW we know.But will it enrich our knowledge and lives for knowing it. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Indeed. You can be the hit at parties telling that story. :D :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Riveting stuff :P :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Indeed. You can be the hit at parties telling that story. :D :lol:I don't think I'll bother, I may get thrown out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Riveting stuff :P :PUp to now you are the only one that ot that one. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadyassa Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 This expression is, according to the complete Oxford English Dictionary, recorded from 1793 in the poetry of Robert Burns: 'Thou paints auld Nature to the nines'.I reckon dressed to the nines comes from the nine yards of material used to make a suit :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 I reckon dressed to the nines comes from the nine yards of material used to make a suit :rolleyes:Pretty fat person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 This has got me thinking DW could be right. After all, you never hear anyone saying he/she was dressed up to the five's or, dressed up to the eight's or any other number for that matter. :huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Is it possible to be at sixes and sevens as to what to dress in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Is it possible to be at sixes and sevens as to what to dress in?Oh yes this has been heard many times andsome, but never at ones or three's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadyassa Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 I reckon dressed to the nines comes from the nine yards of material used to make a suit :rolleyes:Pretty fat person."For long sizes, add 1.5 yards to the quantity required for regular sizes. Hence 50 long will require 7.5 yards while 50 regular requires 6 yards in solid colour 60 inch wide fabric.Extra material needed if striped or checks."Never mind the quality, feel the width :lol: and dont forget the lining and pockets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 "For long sizes, add 1.5 yards to the quantity required for regular sizes. Hence 50 long will require 7.5 yards while 50 regular requires 6 yards in solid colour 60 inch wide fabric.Extra material needed if striped or checks."Never mind the quality, feel the width :lol: and dont forget the lining and pockets etc.That sounds more like a catgate contribution.Thos. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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