To the Nines

In a recent post, I made a comment of doing something 'to the nines' which got me to thinking...where, oh where did this phrase come from?
The results were not definite as there seem to be quite a few people that have different theories.

One popular theory is:
'One prevailing theory concerning the origin of "dressed to the nines" surrounds the significance of the number nine. Some sources believe that the number 9 possessed a spiritual or cultural strength, much like the numbers 3,7 or 13 do today. For example, there were nine Muses said to inspire mankind's pursuit of the arts. If someone were described as "dressed to the nines", it could have been an outfit capable of impressing the nine Muses. The expression "to the nines" was actually in popular use before "dressed to the nines" came into vogue. It's entirely possible that the reference was meant as a tribute to the Muses or other significant figures'.
My comment: Why does everything have to be mystical and deep? This is a very possible theory but it could have been as simple as some drunk guy realizing he had nine articles of clothing on and said 'I'm dressed to the nines' (to be drunkenly funny) and DONE! lol.

A somewhat vague theory:
'A persistent theory is that the British Army's 99th Regiment of Foot were renowned for their smartness, so much so that the other regiments were constantly trying to emulate them - to equal "the nines".
It was first recorded in the late eighteenth century in poems by Robert Burns.However, for quite possibly the phrase's first appearance in literature, it implies something rather naughty, and NOTHING to do with clothing in my opinion.
In the poem, he says 'Twad please me to the nine.'
Comment: BAHAHAHAHA, oooh, thupa thexy! But can anyone tell me who or what a 'TWAD' is???

Another interesting (and more creative) theory being:
'Numerous attempts have been made to associate the number nine with clothing and so to explain the phrase's derivation. One theory has it that tailors used nine yards of material to make a suit (or according to some authors, a shirt). The more material you had the more status, although nine yards seems generous even for a fop'.
My comment: My immediate thought was, WOW, I would be quite high in status because I can GAU-RAN-TEE that I would use up more than nine yards. teeheehee!

In case you wanted to know-you're welcome. :)