십중팔구
십중팔구 - I know this means literally, "in nine out of ten", or more naturally, "in all likelihood", but I'm confused about the construction.

십중팔구 [十中八九]

십 = 10
중 = among, out of
팔 = eight
구 = nine

Why is 팔 (eight) part of the saying?

감사합니다!

Question

십중팔구
십중팔구 - I know this means literally, "in nine out of ten", or more naturally, "in all likelihood", but I'm confused about the construction.

십중팔구 [十中八九]

십 = 10
중 = among, out of
팔 = eight
구 = nine

Why is 팔 (eight) part of the saying?

감사합니다!

Answer

I'm Korean American. It litterally means 8 or 9 out of 10 not just 9 out of 10.

I always thought it is because it wasn't a sure thing they put both 8 and 9 there, but who knows.