G'Day Fella's,

Xausa, as I understand it, your last explanation is the correct one.

From what I have been told, the machine gunners on the Boeing B17 "Flying Fortress" (among others), when asked how their mission went would reply, "I gave em, the whole nine yards!"

I reckon its an absolute cracker of a statement, that unfortunately, gets misused by so many these days!!!

Thank You xausa, for helping me out with that!
Very much appreciated!!!

Merry Christmas
Homer