The Merriam-Webster dictionary traces “86” to “1930s soda-counter slang meaning that an item was sold out. There is varying anecdotal evidence about why the term eighty-six was used, but the most common theory is that it is rhyming slang for nix.”

So, when former FBI director James Comey — a crime novelist these days — posted a photo on social media of shells spelling out “86 47” on a beach, he apparently was directing a message to “86″ the 47th president of the United States — Donald Trump.

James Comey has explained why he posted a cryptic anti-Trump message on Instagram Thursday. The photo, which contained “86” and “47” spelled out in seashells on a beach, landed the former FBI director under investigation by federal authorities after many White House officials and allies of President Donald Trump claimed that the message was a call for his assassination.

Since retaking the White House, the Trump administration has targeted students, law firms and even elected officials for speech and other activity traditionally protected by the First Amendment.

Kaitlan Collins called out the grilling James Comey was subjected to over a "silly" post that Trump and others construed as an “assassination threat.” The post CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Calls Out Secret Service Grilling Of Comey Over ‘Silly’ Trump ‘8647’ Post: ‘Is Any Of This Normal?