I think the very first time I heard someone use the phrase “86” was many years ago, in group therapy. One group member was describing his most recent binge, the one that landed him in detox for the fifth or sixth time (that I was aware of, at least).
”I don’t remember much about that evening,” he admitted. “But I must’ve been shitfaced. Because my girlfriend told me I have been permanently 86ed from the 2 AM Club.“ Meaning summarily banned.
”I didn’t think that was possible,” mumbled his roommate. Apparently, the 2 AM Club had a well-deserved reputation for tolerating even a patron’s worst behavior. Our group member had nonetheless managed to fall below those minimal expectations.
Anyway, “86ing” involved nothing more than a firm instruction to beat feet, and shut the door behind you, never to return.
So I was indeed surprised to see the phrase pop up again, in the context of charges filed against James Comey on the basis of a photo he reposted that featured “86 47”, spelled out in seashells on a beach. Apparently, the prosecution claimed this constituted a direct threat to kill the President.
They had to be joking, I decided. It was just too ridiculous.
Now the Acting Attorney General wants us all to know there is far more behind the charges than a silly photo. I have to hope he’s telling the truth.
Otherwise the credibility of DOJ prosecutions may never recover.
In the wake of this kerfuffle, interest has been revived in the phrase “86ed” itself, and its likely origins. There’s one version I favor over the others.
