English Idiom

[Romel Panzer]

(1) What is the meaning of "The whole nine yards" ?
(2) When do we start greeting "Good Evening" and when "good night"
starts ?

[Philly]

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Here is another thread with a question about "the whole nine yards":
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...tml#post113492
The expression means "everything" / "the whole thing". (No one knows the origin of this expression for sure, but I'd say there is no connection to American football!)
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Good evening is a formal greeting. There is no "official" timeframe for its use, but I'd say it would be used after 6 or 7 p.m. I doubt that I'd use this expression in an informal situation (I'd say "Hi" or something similar instead.)
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Good night is used in the sense of "goodbye" (i.e., a departure), usually in the late evening or at night, or when someone is about to go to bed/sleep.
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