How can you live without knowing this?

[jimberg]

Here's one I found interesting....

The phrase, "the whole nine yards" refers to doing something all the way or with everything you've got. The phrase dates back to aviation battles in which the loads for the aircrafts' machine guns measured approximately 9 yards. If the pilot engaged a target and used up his ammo, he was said to give them the whole 9 yards.

The origin of "The whole nine yards" is still unknown. Check out this article.

http://www.quinion.com/words/articles/nineyards.htm

Finding a reference to it that pre-dates the 60s would earn you hero status among etymologist.