This is an I-Heart podcast.

Guaranteed Human.

And we continue with our American stories.

Up next, we continue with our recurring series about the curious origins of everyday

sayings. Here to join us again is Andrew Thompson as he continues to share another slice

from his ultimate guide to understanding the stories, the mysteries of the English language.

Take it away, Andrew. The whole nine yards means the entire amount or as far as much as possible. And that's a phrase with disputed origins.

It's similar to the expression dressed to the nines, and some say it relates to the best suits

being made from nine yards of fabric. But the more likely origin is actually military-based.

During World War II, the American fighter planes used 50 calibre machine guns that were fired

from the doors by the gunners.

The ammunition used by these guns were linked together on belts that were exactly nine yards

long.

So if a target was shot at with the full belt of ammunition,

it was said that they were being given the whole nine yards.

A wild goose chase is a fruitless chase for something or a hopeless quest,

and it has its origins in early horse racing.

The sport developed in England in the 16th century,

and its earliest form was much different to what we see today because a race began with a lead horse being set off, the rider taking any direction he chose, and then the other riders were sent off in pursuit, leaving at precise regular intervals.

The pursuing horses and riders didn't know exactly which route the lead rider had taken, so they all set off in different directions like wild geese trying to follow their leader.

Shakespeare then used the expression in his play Romeo and Juliet and that popularised it.

To win hands down means to win easily with little effort, and it's another phrase that comes

...