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From: emma@uw-june.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.nlang
Subject: Re: the whole nine yards
Message-ID: <762@uw-june>
Date: Thu, 17-Nov-83 23:20:38 EST
Article-I.D.: uw-june.762
Posted: Thu Nov 17 23:20:38 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 19-Nov-83 03:45:06 EST
References: <269@flairvax.UUCP> <743@uw-beaver>
Organization: U. Washington, Computer Sci
Lines: 11

Nine days' wonder is a legitimate expression, referring to a happening
which would be the talk of the town for a short time and then be
completely forgotten.  As an aside, one of Ellery Queen's Wrightsville
stories was called "Ten Days' Wonder".  It referred to a murder in a
prominent family (a real nine days' wonder in a small town).  On the
tenth day, of course, Ellery solved the case.

There is some particular reason why a drunk sails three sheets to the
wind, which I can't remember-- something to do with an extraordinarily
stupid maneuver in a storm.  Anybody out there remember?

-Joe P.