Page 2 of 2
Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:31 pm
by tcward
Spiff, I didn't see a response to your reply to Katy's use of jargon, "86'ed", which might also be encountered written out in long-hand form as "eighty-sixed".
World Wide Words: EIGHTY-SIX
alt.usage.english FAQ: eight-six = nix
I prefer the explanation that it was originally a rhyming slang for
nix, myself.
-Tim
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:51 am
by Spiff
Thanks, Tim. Is this a very common expression?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:06 am
by M. Henri Day
Some people in Sweden - bland dem min tjej - intensify a negation by saying «Nix, pix !». A custom more honoured in the breach....
Henri
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:57 am
by tcward
Interesting you should ask about how common "eighty-sixed" is... I was realizing as I read Katy's message (the first time) that, while I knew what she was saying, it had been a long time since I'd heard the expression. So I don't think it's all that common these days, but still most people here would know the meaning if someone used it in a sentence.
I think there's also a mental connection between "eighty-sixed" and "deep-sixed".
-Tim
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 11:19 am
by KatyBr
I think there's also a mental connection between "eighty-sixed" and "deep-sixed".
-Tim,
I don't see the connection. One is very permanent, and violent, the other is just a. "hey we don't want you here."
Katy
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:16 am
by Spiff
Is that "deep-sixed" as in "six feet under"?
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:35 am
by M. Henri Day
Yes. Or six fathoms deep, perhaps, if at sea....
Henri