Dressed up to the Nines!

[smudge]

What is the Nines - please?

[Quizmonster]

Click here Smudge for an etymologist's opinion on the matter.

[jno]

Old English plural of eye was eyen (like oxen and children). Dressed up to the eyen was from the ground right up to your head. Perhaps as the old plural form dropped out of use the literal meaning was lost and it mutated into 'nines'.

[jno]

oops, crossed with QM, who shot my theory down in flames!

[smudge]

Thank you QM & jno, for the very informative replies.

You learn something new every day - I like words!

[Quizmonster]

My luck is obviously changing, Jno. That's the second time in two days that I have "won" a synchrography race!

[smudge]

I bet you're glad I asked the question then QM! :o}