'86 it': Restaurant workers say the term at the center of James Comey's indictment is 'everyday lingo'
Prosecutors say the post was a threat, while restaurant workers and dictionary definitions describe 86 as slang for removing or refusing service.
- Federal prosecutors in North Carolina indicted FBI Director James Comey on two counts of threatening President Donald Trump after he posted an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to read '86 47' last year.
- President Trump defined '86' as a 'mob term for kill him,' but hospitality professionals dispute this, describing it as everyday restaurant slang meaning to remove or discard items.
- Mike Reyes of FLIK Hospitality Group called '86' the 'most overused word in hospitality,' while John Coppola of Bread & Spread Sandwich in Brooklyn said it simply means 'make it disappear' when items run out.
- Prosecutors argue a 'reasonable recipient' would interpret Comey's post as a 'serious expression of an intent to do harm,' placing him in criminal proceedings that will test how courts assess online threats.
- The case illustrates how context shapes legal interpretation, contrasting urban legends—like '80 miles out and 6 feet under'—with everyday restaurant lingo, as courts now grapple with conflicting definitions of the term.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Letter: The nonsensical indictment against James Comey should be 86’d
I am 72 years old. I grew up in Ohio and Utah. I’ve lived in several states. When I was in junior high, my parents 86’d a kid from our house because they thought he’d get me in trouble. Growing up, I was in some clubs, like the Boy Scouts, that might 86 members who consistently refused to follow the rules. And I’ve been in many bars that 86’d people who got too drunk or broke things or started fights. In every case where I heard of someone being…
Veteran congressional hopeful dares Trump to 'arrest us all' as he hawks '86 47' merch
An unaffiliated congressional candidate and Air Force veteran is selling merchandise that he hopes will get under Trump's skin. Florida's Mark Davis is selling hats, t-shirts, and license plates that say "86 47." It's a clear protest to the new indictment against former FBI Director and Trump foe James Comey. "Arrest us all. I dare you," Davis told NBC News in a Friday report. "I am done staying quiet. I've got a family, I've got kids, and I'm w…
"Today's News" 05/01/26: James Comey’s Latest Indictment Turns Into a Debate Over Prosecuting Russiagate
Illustration by Daniel MedinaBoth Matt and Michael agree that the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey over his “8647” Instagram post is a weak case. The conversation then takes an unexpected and somewhat heated turn, shifting into a debate over prosecuting Russiagate and the role of the criminal justice system.Subscribe now
'86 it': Restaurant workers say the term at the center of James Comey's indictment is 'everyday lingo'
Federal prosecutors say former FBI Director James Comey's use of the term “86” on Instagram was a threat “to do harm" to President Donald Trump — but some food service workers say the term is "everyday lingo" to them."It’s probably the most overused word in hospitality," said Mike Reyes, 45, who has worked in the hospitality industry for years, currently as an operational excellence consultant at FLIK Hospitality Group."Any time you're out of an…
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