What is the origin of the phrase "Possession is nine-tenths (or 9 points) of the law"?

satguru

There are various laws that favour the possessor, especially of land. Squatters rights are such it normally needs a court order for an eviction and with legal delays can delay this for years in some cases. With objects it isn't so clear as if you discover something isn't yours you're under a legal duty in many countries to return it, but in reality it can often be hard to prove and need a court case before some people will give it up. So either way if you have something it is often harder to get it off you even if someone else owns it. Sep 17 07, 4:04 PM

stuthehistoryguy

For a bit more detail, check this out from my personal guru: http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpossess910.htm Sep 17 07, 4:15 PM

Arpeggionist

Probably the story of that phrase has some Talmudic logic to it. Sep 17 07, 5:00 PM

stuthehistoryguy

"So a class of international students is assigned a paper on elephants...." Sep 17 07, 5:04 PM