What does that cryptic liberal BS mean again?
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The phrase “86 47” combines slang and numerical reference to convey a political message. 86 is American slang meaning to throw out, get rid of, or refuse service to, originating from 1930s diner jargon where it indicated an item was sold out.
Over time, the term evolved in certain contexts to imply more severe forms of removal, including elimination or, in rare and more recent usages, assassination. However, lexicologists note that the meaning “to kill” is not widely adopted due to its recency and limited usage, though it appears in crime fiction and underworld slang.
The number “47” refers to Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States. Therefore, “86 47” is interpreted as a call to remove or eject Trump from office, functioning as a silent protest symbol among critics.
This interpretation gained widespread attention in May 2025 when former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo of seashells arranged in the shape of “86 47” on a beach, captioning it “cool shell formation on my beach walk”.
The post sparked controversy, with Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel, stating it was being investigated as a potential threat. Donald Trump and his allies, including his son Donald Trump Jr., interpreted the post as a call for assassination.
Comey deleted the post and clarified that he did not realize the numbers were associated with violence, stating he opposes violence of any kind. Linguistic experts argue that while “86” can theoretically mean “to kill” in specific contexts, such an interpretation without clear intent is a stretch, and the phrase is more commonly understood as a demand for political removal rather than physical harm.
The term has also appeared on protest merchandise, such as T-shirts and buttons, often marketed as satirical or expressive political statements.