Restaurant Workers Defend '86' as Common Lingo Amid Comey Indictment Federal prosecutors have charged former FBI Director James Comey with threatening President Donald Trump’s life, citing his use of the term “86” in an Instagram post. The term, which Comey used to describe a photo of seashells arranged to spell “86 47,” is central to the indictment. Prosecutors argue that a reasonable person familiar with the circumstances would interpret the post as a serious expression of intent to harm Trump. However, restaurant workers and industry experts argue that “86” is simply everyday lingo in the hospitality sector, with no connection to violence or threats. Mike Reyes, a 45-year-old operational excellence consultant at FLIK Hospitality Group, described the term as “the most overused word in hospitality.” He explained that in the industry, “86” means an item is unavailable and needs to be replenished. Reyes, who first encountered the term at age 14 while working in a restaurant, said it is used casually to indicate that inventory is depleted. “Any time you’re out of anything, it’s 86-ed,” he said, emphasizing that the term has no malicious connotation. David Brungoli, owner and chef of Pavin 86, an upscale New York City eatery, echoed this sentiment. He stated that the term is part of the restaurant’s name due to its location on East 86th Street and its longstanding ties to the industry. “It connects with restaurants,” Brungoli said. He clarified that “86” is used only when staff run out of an item and that it has “been used forever” in the industry. “If it’s 86, the next day we order more. It’s 86 for now,” he added, dismissing any notion that the term implies death or murder. John Coppola, chef at Bread & Spread Sandwich in Brooklyn, described the term as a versatile slang.#james_comey #mike_reyes #flik_hospitality_group #david_brungoli #pavin_86
