eight or eighty is a popular expression in the Portuguese language, used to define something of extremes, i.e, everything or nothing. It is usually associated with the personality or behavior of some individuals.
This expression is quite common in relation to people who have no middle ground when making a decision.
Example: "With so-and-so, things are eight or eighty.”
When the expression is used in this context, it means that a certain person does not allow for negotiations or does not go back on what he said or did.
There is another situation where the expression applies: when someone goes from one extreme to another without, many times, an explanation for such behavior being seen.
Example: “He went from eight to eighty in a short time."
It is also applied in situations where there are only two possibilities in relation to something, which are considered to be extreme or totally contrary.
It is an ancient expression and there are no reports about its origin. In the 1970s, it gained some popularity due to a television show hosted by Flávio Cavalcanti on the now defunct TV Excelsior broadcaster. This presenter was known for creating expressions and gestures that were striking.
In a contest presented by him, participants were asked about different topics and earned 8 points if they didn't get the answer completely right, or 80 points if the answer was correct. So, when asking the participant for the answer, he would say: “Is it eight or eighty?”