Where does the term “86” come from?
I just saw an episode of “Unwrapped” on Food TV where host Marc Summers claimed “86” originated in Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York. 86 being the menu number of the most popular item on the menu, the Delmonico steak. Seems a bit nine yard-ish to me.
Unprovable, at least so far, and probably not true in my opinion.
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=224569&highlight=menu
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=130341&highlight=menu
The best answer I have seen thus far comes from Evan Morris of www.word-detective.com (and numerous books and newspaper columns) who had this to say
Dear Word Detective: Ok, I’ve got a term I already know the meaning of, but am still unsure about the origin of – the term “86.” I know that the meaning is two things (mostly dealing with bars and restaurants): out of something in the kitchen (“We’re 86 on Lettuce!”), and being kicked out for being disorderly or drunk. I understood from a few years ago that the origin of the phrase is back in old New York (like early 1900’s). When they started just building bars and houses and apartments pretty much alike, the city code guys would figure all bars were the same, and therefore warranted the same maximum occupancy … you guessed it … 85. Therefore, Mr. 86 was, well, “86’ed.” If you have any other possible clues on this, I would be appreciative. I know you’re the Word Detective, but why not numbers, too? – Alan Wieding, via the Internet.
Why not numbers, indeed? Except, of course, that I have a long-standing pathological fear of numbers. That’s why I have so much trouble turning in my income tax forms – I can’t even stand to look at them, much less mail them. I’ll get to your question in a moment, by the way. I’m busy establishing an alibi here.
The theory you’ve heard about “86” is certainly entertaining, but is unsubstantiated and probably not true. Fortunately, there are lots of other theories. Unfortunately, there’s not much evidence supporting them, either. What we do know is that “86” first appeared as “kitchen slang” meaning “out of that item” in the 1930’s, and fairly quickly came to mean “stop serving that customer” as well. Eventually, “86” spread to general usage, where it came to mean simply “dismiss” or “quash” (“The boss 86’ed my proposal for beer in the lunchroom”).
The theory with the most logic behind it is that “86” began as rhyming slang code of the sort found in London’s Cockney underworld of the 19th century. As “trouble and strife” meant “wife” in rhyming slang, “86” may have stood for “nix” – “nix” meaning “nothing” or “to dismiss.” How “86” then ended up in U.S. restaurants is a bit of a puzzle, but I’m afraid it’s the best theory anyone has come up with so far.
Please disregard above post by yours truly. Thank You