Message 11213 of 39188 in General Discussion

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> Yup, I've read those too. Unfortunately most are just stories, which 
> is a shame as they're more interesting than the (and I emphasise) 
> probable explanation. The only one which can be corroborated is the 
> one I suggested. Yes, I realise this doesn't unequivocally render it 
> true, but hey, I'm an empiricist.
> 
> 
> The Chumley's explanation just doesn't hold water, unfortunately:
> http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxeighty.html
> 
> Which is a shame, because Leyland ruled. Not only was his bar the 
> centre for the International Worker's movement, but he also got such 
> litterati into his bar as Morand, Salinger, and Hemmingway (though 
> wee Ernest seemed to be a regular in just about every bar in the 
> world).

Interesting.  We always used it in the Navy to say something is dead or 
destroyed.  If a ship was sunk, someone drowned, a building collapsed, or even 
evening plans fell through, it was "86'd."  Anyone else ever used it this way? 
 I'm surprised no-one else has mentioned this.