File 13

File 13 is a term used in various contexts to describe something that has been discarded, lost, forgotten, or considered unimportant. It often refers to an actual physical file folder, or a metaphorical equivalent in a digital or conceptual space, designated for items deemed no longer relevant or useful.

The origin of the term is debated, but likely stems from the practice of organizations maintaining a set of files numbered consecutively. File 13 would then be the file designated for miscellaneous items, paperwork errors, duplicates, or anything else that did not fit neatly into the numbered file categories. As such, it became synonymous with unwanted or disposable materials.

The concept of File 13 extends beyond physical documents. It can be applied to ideas, plans, projects, or even people that have been sidelined or deemed unsuccessful. The expression suggests something is either no longer being actively considered or has been permanently eliminated.

The term's usage is frequently informal and often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that whatever is relegated to "File 13" is of little value.