Wild Blue Yonder

Yes, some of the phrases we use today, or when we were young had origins that we did not comprehend. When I played football as a receiver, I was told to run a "button hook" route. I ran right at a defender and when he started to back track, I stopped short, turned around and took a few steps back toward the QB. But I never used a "button hook" to fasten my shoes.

And I used the term, "I gave him the whole nine yards." I had no idea that referred to the length of 50 cal ammo belts used in bomber aircraft.

And of course I had a completely erroneous understanding of what "balls to the wall" meant! In the movie, saving private Ryan, it starts with Normandy and the thousands of brave soldiers riding in these boats heading toward the beach. And as they approached, they were being targeted by the enemy. So getting to the beach as quickly as possible was a shared concern by our heroes. The little boats had lever throttles with round balls on top. When they were pushed all the way forward, full throttle, they were "balls to the wall!" Kinda puts a whole new perspective on the phrase!!!