I thought that the whole nine yards refers to a whole bolt of cloth. 

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jim
Bowles
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 9:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: scratch cement from "The whole nine yards"


Hello all,

I think we can scratch cement from "The Whole Nine Yards."

It weighs too much for period cement mixers.

Cement specific gravity {S.G.}  =  3.15

Wt (cu ft of cement) = 3.15 x 62.4 {wt of cu ft of water} = 196.56 lbs per cu ft

Wt for nine yards cement = 9 (yds) x 27 (cu ft / cu yd) x 196.56 (lbs per cu ft) = 47,764.08 lbs

No common truck in the 40's could carry 47,764.08 lbs .. even if they could find a road good
enough!

Never liked that solution anyway .. it lacked intuitive style!

jb
.