New York Magazine reports:
During the governor’s remote appearance on Meet the Press, an anti-Trump “86 45” pin could be clearly seen on her desk in the background. “45” refers to Trump, and “86” is slang primarily used by restaurant workers to denote getting rid of something or it being out of stock — though the shorthand, which has no confirmed etymology, has become popular outside the service industry as well.
The Google-armed linguists at the Trump campaign, however, later claimed that “86” has a far more nefarious meaning. The campaign alleged in a Sunday afternoon tweet that “86 can be shorthand for killing someone,” so it therefore stands to reason that “Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump.” Desperate false equivalency posed as campaign savvy hardly justifies the risk of what could happen if more well-armed extremists take the allegation seriously.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed an “86 45” sign during her TV appearance.
86 can be shorthand for killing someone.
Whitmer is encouraging assassination attempts against President Trump just weeks after someone sent a ricin-laced package to the White House. pic.twitter.com/GzvtrjH40A
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 18, 2020
Gretchen Whitmer can’t have it both ways. These are the standards she set.
— Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 18, 2020
BIG 45 fan, and even I know this doesn’t mean, in any shorthand I’ve ever heard, to “kill” somebody. If you order a burger “86 the lettuce”, it doesn’t mean kill the lettuce, it just means you don’t want it. Cmon, let’s not be like the left, guys!
— SHOTbyTaco (@SHOTbyTaco) October 18, 2020
Lol such weak sauce. Tens of millions of people who have worked in restaurants know what “86” means. It’s shorthand for “cancel.”
— Kellum Dander (@kellumdander) October 18, 2020
When I was a waiter and people didn’t want mushrooms in their pasta, I’d write “86 mushrooms”.
WE CANNOT HAVE ANY MUSHROOM KILLERS OUT THERE. THE INJUSTICE OF IT ALL.
— The Other Donald J. Trümp (@trump_realreal) October 18, 2020
Bounced bars for 25 years. “86” means to kick someone out. We never killed anyone.
You are desperate jerks.— Rick G. Rosner (@dumbassgenius) October 18, 2020
The @TrumpWarRoom account is the dumbest account on this platform.
It succeeds only in proving everything about Trumpworld is stupid and everyone in it is an idiot.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 18, 2020
86 means remove from the premises. Signed, a former bartender.
— moonbeamer (@moonbeamer6) October 18, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer displayed a “RESPECT” sign during her TV appearance.
“Respect” is the title of a 1960s R&B song by the late Aretha Franklin.
Whitmer is secretly taking orders from Franklin about how she should govern Michigan. pic.twitter.com/BoN3PFyhcP
— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) October 18, 2020