How did the term 86 come about in restaurants to mean that the restaurant is out of an item?

Answer 1

used as a verb, to "eighty-six" means to "ignore" or "get rid of". Suggested theories of the source of this usage include:
Possibly a refrence to article 86 of the New York state liquor code which defines the circumstances in which a bar patron should be refused service or "86ed". Another theory has it that this is rhyming slang for "nix." Interestingly, this seems to be an American coinage, unusual for rhyming slang.[1]
Others have suggested This usage originated from the famous Delmonaco Restaurant in New York City, as item #86 on their menu, their house steak, ran out often in the 19th century.

Answer 2

There are several theories on the origin of the term. In the bar culture, it is attributed to Article 86 of the New York State Liquor Code. Article 86 specifically outlines the circumstances in which a bar patron should be refused alcohol or removed from the bar. In the restaurant culture, the theory goes back to the Great Depression and the soup kitchens. The legend goes that soup kitchens were limited to 85 patrons at a time so number 86 in line wouldn't receive food. A lesser known theory is that Cockney rhyming slang took the word nix and transformed it into "86'ed". The term also is said to have links to the Mob.

Answer 3

several schools of thought. Some say that the last train in New york stopped on 86th street, and the drunks would all get kicked off. Others say that when a bartender would 86 someone, they would cut the proof of alcohol from 100 proof to 86 proof. I think there are even others, but I can't think of them right now. It's also a military term, and many structures inside a restaurant are borrowed from the military (like the brigade system, which is better known as a cook's line)

Answer 4

"86ing" indeed comes from the restaurant industry, specifically soda shops where codes were used for all items on the menu. A Code 19 meant a Banana Split, and a Code 33 meant a Cherry Coke. Code 86 originally meant "We're out of that item," so when a cook said he was "86ing" an order, that meant he was canceling it.

Answer 5

The term came from old specs used to bury the average person----the hole is "8" feet long and is "6" feet deep, . Hence, being called "86d" was not a good thing...but a "gone" thing... So when you run out of something at a restaurant they use that term for slang and speed... its used alot of places when referring to eliminating something.

Answer 6

IT COME FROM 186 WHICH MEANS MURDERED IN POLICE TERMS OR RUN OUT IN TERMS OF FOOD, OR IF YOU ARE 86 FROM A PLACE IT MEANS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THAT PLACE AGAIN.

Answer 7

from soup kitchens
the pot used to hold 86 portions