James Comey investigated over seashell photo branded ‘threat’ against Trump
www.theguardian.com
Ex-FBI director deletes Instagram post of shells in ‘8647’ formation that Republicans claim is code for assassination
  • WhatDoYouMeanPodcast [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    39·
    1 day ago

    In the hospitality industry, it is used to indicate that an item is no longer available, traditionally from a food or drinks establishment, or referring to a person or people who are not welcome on the premises. Its etymology is unknown, but the term seems to have been coined in the 1920s or 1930s.

    Military personnel might use “86” informally to refer to scrapping equipment (e.g., “That old radio got 86’d”) or ending a plan or mission (e.g., “The op was 86’d due to bad weather”). It’s not an official term in military doctrine or manuals, but it’s part of the informal jargon that soldiers, sailors, or airmen might pick up and use, influenced by broader civilian language.

    Defending Comey isn’t really my bag. I just kinda wish anything meant anything. How cute is the coincidence that a bygone character of the civil soap opera is done in by his contemporary: alternative facts

    • sexywheat [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
      27·
      1 day ago

      If I am not mistaken the term “86” comes from the Great Depression. The big vats of soup that they would feed hungry people lining up with would typically produce 85 bowls so if you were the 86th person in line you were shit outta luck.

      • Maturin [any]@hexbear.netEnglish
        6·
        1 day ago

        I always heard it was from a speakeasy in the west village called Chumleys. Its address was 86 Barrow Street. They would serve liquor in tea cups and each drink had a different “tea” code name. If the cops came for a raid they would shout “86 your tea cups” and everyone would throw their cups into the fireplace.