Where did 86 come from in the restaurant business for meaning "no" like 86 onions for no onions?

Answer 1

The term "86" is generally used in restaurant or foodservice environments when a specific item is no longer available. For example, "86 baked haddock", or "the mussels have been 86'ed."

When 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 reference 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.

Others have suggested that this usage originated from the famous Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City, as item number 86 on their menu, their house steak, often ran out during the 19th century.

Another explanation is that Chumley's, a famous 1900's New York speakeasy, was located at 86 Bedford St. During Prohibition, an entrance through an interior adjoining courtyard was used, as it provided privacy and discretion for customers. As was a New York tradition, the cops were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody!", which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford entrance because the cops were coming in through the courtyard door.

The term came into popular use among soldiers and veterans to describe missing soldiers as 86'd. Rather than describe buddies missing in action, it was slang to describe the MIA as violating UCMJ Sub Chapter X Article 86.

Answer 2

From Urban Dictionary:

86:
To remove, end usage, or take something out or away. Despite ALL other posts suggestion the origion of this phrase there is only one true answer:

Chumley's, a famous and OLD New York speakeasy, is located at 86 Bedford St. During Prohibition, an enterance through an interior adjoing courtyard was used, as it provided privacy and discretion for customers.

As was (and is) a New York tradition, the cops were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody!", which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford enterance because the cops were coming in through the courtyard door.

"86 that light"

"Everyone in Sales got 86'd.

Answer 3

I suppose you could use it as "no" but what it really means is that you are "out" of onions, especially nowdays. There used to be in the old days, think WW2 for hundreds of things. Waitresses needed a shorthand. 86'd is pretty much the only one to survive.

Answer 4

There are a lot of ideas about how that phrase got started. Some say it is because it rhymes with "nix". Others say it comes from standard crew size on British merchant vessels being 85 and the 86th guy is left behind. There is no definitive answer. However, I personally would bet that it comes from military history. They come up with the best phrases.

Answer 5

that da grade that u hav got 4 food health dept