What does '8647' really mean? Inside the numbers that felled James Comey

Washington D.C.: Former FBI Director James Comey has dismissed claims that a social media post featuring seashells arranged as the numbers '8647' was a veiled call to assassinate President Donald Trump. The post sparked outrage among Trump supporters, who interpreted '86' as slang for killing someone and '47' as a reference to Trump being the 47th president. 

The incident has led to an ongoing investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service.

What Does '86' Really Mean?

Accoding to The Guardian, the term '86' has multiple meanings, most commonly referring to removing or rejecting something—like refusing service in a restaurant or canceling a plan.

Its origins are debated, with one theory tracing it to Prohibition-era New York, where bar staff would eject unruly patrons through the back door of Chumley’s bar at 86 Bedford Street. Another theory links it to old soda-fountain slang for being out of stock.

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While Merriam-Webster acknowledges that '86' has occasionally been used to mean "kill", it notes this usage is rare. Some conspiracy theories, however, claim it originated from mafia slang for burying someone ("eight miles out, six feet under").

Republicans have used similar number-based slogans, such as '8646' on merchandise calling for President Biden’s impeachment. Critics argue that Trump supporters are deliberately misinterpreting Comey’s post for political gain.

After his dismissal by President Trump in 2017, Comey became a prominent critic of Trump and published a bestselling memoir, 'A Higher Loyalty', in 2018. He has continued to write, with his latest work being a crime fiction novel titled 'FDR Drive', which is set for release in May 2025.