nine-tenths

the compound 'nine-tenths' is a straightforward english construction from its constituent number and fraction words. 'nine' and 'ten' both descend from proto-germanic numerals, which themselves trace back to proto-indo-european roots. the formation follows the standard english pattern for expressing fractions, such as 'two-thirds' or 'three-quarters'. its evolution into an idiom meaning 'the overwhelming majority' is based on the logical and common-sense notion that if nine out of ten parts are accounted for, virtually the whole is represented, moving from a literal mathematical expression to a figurative standard for denoting near-totality.

Structure: nine (number) + tenths (fractional part) 'nine' is from old english 'nigon', of germanic origin, meaning the cardinal number. 'tenths' is derived from 'ten', from old english 'tien', of germanic origin, plus the ordinal suffix '-th', forming the fraction 'tenth', with the plural '-s'.