'86 it': Restaurant workers say the term at the center of James Comey's indictment is 'everyday lingo'
Federal prosecutors allege James Comey's use of the term '86' in an Instagram post constituted a threat against President Donald Trump, but restaurant workers say the term is commonly used in the hospitality industry to indicate an item is out of stock or discontinued. Industry professionals describe '86' as routine slang with no violent intent, though some acknowledge it can be interpreted differently outside the context of food service. The term's origins are unclear, with multiple theories tracing it to 1930s New York City restaurants, bars, or military jargon.
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Justice Department'86 it': Restaurant workers say the term at the center of James Comey's indictment is 'everyday lingo'The term federal prosecutors said constituted a death threat against the president is "everyday lingo" in the restaurant business, one person said.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Restaurant workers said they use the term '86' when they're out of a dish or it's been canceled. Leila Register / NBC News; Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 29, 2026, 8:15 PM EDTBy Dareh GregorianFederal 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.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited…
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