I had heard that expression in the 1950's as a kid.  My father was a B-24
Liberator pilot with 55 combat missions.  He was stationed first in North
Africa and then Italy.  Flew 55 combat missions over those areas, the
Balkans (three over Ploesti), southern France and Germany.

He stayed in the reserves and was reactivated for Korea and retired out of
the reserves in 1975 as a wing commander (06).  We had LOTS Air Force both
active and retired at the house for barbecues and stuff all through the
50s-early 80s (I left home in 66).  We heard lots of air force jargon.  I
remember hearing it several times at our old house which we left the summer
of 1960 when I just turned 12.  Of course at the time, I thought the
expression was stupid since I always had pletny of room to play in my yard
and those of my friends.  I thought anyone who need nine whole yards to
play in was just plain greedy.

Hey, Com'on, I was just a kid!

Smoke


Smoke (Michael A.) Pfeiffer, RPA
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
605 West Main Street
Russellville, Arkansas 72801
(479) 968-2354  Ext. 233
e-mail:  [log in to unmask]

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.




                      paul courtney
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                      12/17/2003 11:09
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http://www.quinion.com/words/articles/nineyards.htm

Is an interesting article on the phrase. It comes to the conclusion that it
is a 1960s Americanism but apart from that offers only a myriad of
competing solutions.

paul courtney
leicester
UK