Date:  Sun, 30 Apr 1995 08:51:34 -0400

From:  Heilan Yvette Grimes <HEP2[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM>

Subject: Re: 86ed



>Dear ADS-L people,

>I watched the TV-series "Northern Exposure" the other day

>and a character there used the expression "You're eighty-

>six, man" to another, who had done some renovations at this

>first character's house (well, actually it was a trailer),

>and caused some water damages there. I understood this to

>mean something like "You are a disaster, man". I wonder

>though, were this expression comes from, and how well

>known it is in the US? Would someone have a clue?

>

>Matti



I'm trying to find a specific etymology. But as I recall it has to do with

drowning. So that being 86ed and being sunk had the same meaning. You were

dead. So euphemistically speaking to be 86ed or sunk meant to be really in

big trouble.



--Yvette