On Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:13:09 -0400, Tony Cooper
wrote:

On Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:23:07 -0700 (PDT), Whisky-dave
wrote:

On Thursday, 26 October 2017 18:05:43 UTC+1, Tony Cooper wrote:
On Thu, 26 Oct 2017 09:33:48 -0700 (PDT), Whisky-dave
wrote:

I heard the other night on TV regading bombers, that the expression the whole 9 yards comes from the belt lengh of the guns on the B-17 as in give them the whole or full 9 yards.

I always thought it was an american football term ;-0


Nine yards has no real significance in American football. It's a gain
or loss in yardage, but the significant measurement is ten yards. If
a team gains ten yards or more in their series of plays, the next down
is a first down and they have four more downs in possession.

As clear as mud :-)

The difference between American football and European football is that
the American football players attempt to advance the ball towards the
opponent's goalposts. European football players mostly mill around
the middle of the field kicking the ball to and fro and not advancing
it in either direction.

Also, when an American football player goes down, it is because an
opponent, or a gaggle of opponents, has forced him down to stop his
advance. When a European football player goes down, it is a dramatic
move worthy of a BAFTA award for Best Performance for a Solo Effort.

Then there is this
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/..._Black_Sam.jpg
or http://tinyurl.com/y8hvl7n4

It looks as though a giant wall is about to descend on the ball
carrier.
--

Regards,

Eric Stevens