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James Comey investigated over seashell photo claimed to be ‘threat’ against Trump (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Ex-FBI director deletes Instagram post of shells in ‘8647’ formation that Republicans claim is code for assassination

A photo of seashells posted on Instagram by the former FBI director James Comey is now being investigated by the US Secret Service, after the US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said it constituted a “threat” against Donald Trump.

On Thursday, Comey posted a photo of seashells forming the message “8647”, with a caption that read: “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.”

Trump’s supporters have interpreted the message as an endorsement of violence against Trump – the 47th president. There is more debate around the use of 86, a slang term often used in restaurants to mean getting rid of or throwing something out, and which, according to Merriam-Webster, has been used more recently, albeit sparingly, to mean “to kill”.

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[-] [email protected] 20 points 2 weeks ago

One of the things I enjoy is MAGAts, who like calling left leaning people "snowflakes," losing their shit every time somebody says something they don't like.

Feels like this should become a slogan. "86 Trump!"

Why?

Well the term originates from soda-counter slang that meant an item sold out, and has grown to mean "throw out," "get rid of" and "refuse service to" according to the Merriam-Webster - the dictionary people.

Eighty-six is slang meaning "to throw out," "to get rid of," or "to refuse service to." It comes from 1930s soda-counter slang meaning that an item was sold out. There is varying anecdotal evidence about why the term eighty-six was used, but the most common theory is that it is rhyming slang for nix.

Wikipedia adds some more context:

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.

this post was submitted on 16 May 2025

293 points (98.3% liked)

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