Neo-Nazis use the number 88 as an abbreviation for the Nazi salute Heil Hitler.[11] The letter H is eighth in many European Latin alphabets, whereby 88 becomes HH.[12]
Often, this number is associated with the number 14, e.g. 14/88, 14-88, or 1488; this number symbolizes the Fourteen Words coined by David Lane, a prominent white supremacist.[13] Example uses of 88 include the song “88 Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” by Landser, and the organizations Column 88 and Unit 88.
The number is banned on Austrian license plates due to its association with “Heil Hitler [and] where H comes in the alphabet”.[14] In June 2023, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Italian government announced that the number 88 would be banned from use in Italian association football, as part of a joint initiative to combat antisemitism. This followed an incident in March of that year in which a Lazio supporter wore a club shirt bearing the name “Hitlerson” and the number 88, which led to the supporter receiving a lifetime ban from attending Lazio matches.[15]
In the US, former FBI assistant director of counterintelligence Frank Figliuzzi declared in 2019 that something as innocuous as raising a flag on the White House to full staff on 8 August (i.e. 8–8) is a “messaging” problem because “the numbers 88 are very significant in neo-Nazi and white supremacy movement.”[16]
88 is a white supremacist numerical code for “Heil Hitler.” H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so 88 = HH = Heil Hitler. One of the most common white supremacist symbols, 88 is used throughout the entire white supremacist movement, not just neo-Nazis. One can find it as a tattoo or graphic symbol; as part of the name of a group, publication or website; or as part of a screenname or e-mail address. It is even sometimes used as a greeting or sign-off (particularly in messages on social networking websites).
“H” is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so “88” is often used as a shorthand for “Heil Hitler”. It sometimes gets incorporated into usernames.
searches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88_(number)
https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/88
Well, fuck me.
1488 is “you’re a capital n Nazi” on sight, the 88 alone is just sus imo
Oh boi… Well, let’s see if people find offensive connotations in a dwarf’s name.
(Cuz of the “14 Words” if anyone is wondering.
It’s such an anglicism, tho! German has ä so really it should be 99, and then they’re messing with classic TV – inexcusable.