"paying through the nose"?

[musclehead]

you ever read a common expression in our language and wonder where the heck does that come from?

"the whole nine yards" I looked this one up a few years back, waist gunners in the bombers of WWII were armed with 27 feet of ammo. when a determined stutka approached in a mind to shoot the bomber down the gunner may have given him 'the whole nine yards'

'bought the farm'  GI insurance in WWII was enough in most cases to pay off the note on the family homestead.

paying through the nose, we all know what it means but where in the world does it originate from?
( I think I'm cursed with too much curiosity) I found a website with what might be an explaination, enjoy

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/21/messages/1136.html

[bscrive]

I would say you have too much time on your hands and that means you are not riding enough.  Shame on you.  There are some of us who would love to have time on our hands to think of such trivial things but instead we are trying to find time to ride...Shame...Shame.   

[highcountry]

Check this out:

http://www.wwwk.co.uk/culture/phrases/paying-through-nose.htm

[Ferris Leets]

If you investigate the "whole nine yards" you will find that it predates the reference you gave.  I have always wondered about it and have never found a  definitive answer as to where it comes from.  Some say it is the amount of cloth needed to make a complete Scottish kilt, others say it was the amount of cloth on an old style bolt of cloth, others say is has to do with square or cubic yards.  If you ever find a good answer let me know.

[musclehead]

If you investigate the "whole nine yards" you will find that it predates the reference you gave.  I have always wondered about it and have never found a  definitive answer as to where it comes from.  Some say it is the amount of cloth needed to make a complete Scottish kilt, others say it was the amount of cloth on an old style bolt of cloth, others say is has to do with square or cubic yards.  If you ever find a good answer let me know.

I never thought to look deeper, thanks for the heads up

[musclehead]

I would say you have too much time on your hands and that means you are not riding enough.  Shame on you.  There are some of us who would love to have time on our hands to think of such trivial things but instead we are trying to find time to ride...Shame...Shame.   

not riding enough? too much time on my hands? you have no idea 

I have 11 hours a day in which to dodge traffic and think up silly posts 

[DarkMeister]

What you need is "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" (there are a number of editions out).

I just read some of those word and phrase origins. Was going to post some in here, but can't figure out how to cut&paste from a darn paper book.

[Jess Tolbirt]

What you need is "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader" (there are a number of editions out).

I just read some of those word and phrase origins. Was going to post some in here, but can't figure out how to cut&paste from a darn paper book.

you have a scanner dont you?

[DarkMeister]

Yes, but I'm busy at the moment, googling the word "initiative" (sp.? Not sure)
I have to research it to death first.

[Raverez]

There is a website

http://bathroomreader.com/

[bigfish_Oh]

I always wondered when I was little and ask Grandpa where Grandma was, he said "she went to sheet and the hogs ate her". As a little boy, I had near nightmares.  my guess in later years was, the outhouse overhung or run into the hog lot before indoor plumbing?