"The whole nine yards"

[JMoney]

It's ten yards for a first down in American Football. What is meant by this expression?

 

[photonrider]

Google probably can help you with that ball of wax in this day and age.

 

[Omnis]

Op is Mr. Safire.

 

[photonrider]

In which case he will never get the whole ball, but will definitely wax eloquent.

http://www.npr.org/2013/01/14/169140590/-the-whole-nine-yards-of-what