Here's the breakdown:
* Beeswax: Beeswax was historically used to make candles and other items.
* The "ball" of wax: In the process of extracting beeswax, beekeepers would often collect the wax in a round, solid mass, resembling a ball.
* The "whole" ball: The phrase likely arose to indicate that something included *everything*, just like a beekeeper would take the whole ball of wax, not just a portion.
Other theories:
* Gambling: Some speculate the phrase comes from the game of faro, where players would bet on the entire pot of money, known as "the ball of wax."
* Slang: Another possibility is that the phrase simply evolved from common slang, with "ball" often used to mean "all" or "everything."
While the exact origins are unclear, the meaning of "whole ball of wax" remains consistent: it signifies the entirety of something, everything involved, or the whole shebang.