What does the phrase "86" mean in he kitchen?

Question

I work in at a restuarant and when we run out of something, we '86' it. Like "86 the ravioli." I'm curious as to what 86 means and/or where it came from. I asked the chef. He told me to look it up online. So here I am.

Answer 1

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".
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.[1]
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 1900s 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.
Another explanation is the possibility of a simple variation of the slang term deep six, which has identical meaning, and is simply meant to describe the approximate depth of a grave.
Another possible origin is the public outdoor observatory on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, the site of more than 30 suicides.

Answer 2

My research indicates it may have been rhyming slang for the word nix.

The use of "86" to indicate a patron was not to be served because he was too drunk or obnoxious originated in the '40s. That supposedly came the strengths of spirits served in bars. It is said that these were normally 100 proof but that when a customer was getting too drunk, they served instead a weaker drink that was only 86 proof.

In restaurant slang, 99 meant “the manager is prowling about” and 98 referred to the assistant manager doing the same; 19 is a banana split; 55 is root beer, and so on. Presumably some of these related to the numbering on a standard menu somewhere at some time, but the details have been lost. No. 86 was often the most popular item on the menu, and thus the establishment would often run out of it.

Another explanation I found (and my favorite) was that 86 is a standard size door frame(7'2"), and so to "86 something" was to figuratively toss it out the door.

Answer 3

In restaurant jargon it means to cancel but the origin of the term is widely debated:

# 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".
# 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.[1]
* 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 1900s 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.
* Another explanation is the possibility of a simple variation of the slang term "deep six," which has identical meaning, and is simply meant to describe the approximate 8' x 6' depth of a grave.
* Another possible origin is the public outdoor observatory on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, the site of more than 30 suicides.

Answer 4

It means to just not include it. Like if someone wants a sandwich and they say to 86 the mayo, that means to leave it off.

It can also mean that you have run out of a certain item.

Check out this link. There are a TON of explanations for the origin of the term, but I think it is the one that talks about shutting someone off that has had too much to drink. Have fun!

http://www.restaurantreport.com/qa/86d.html

Answer 5

To 86 something in a restaraunt means to throw it out. I am not sure of the origin, but I am sure of the meaning.

Answer 6

i used to work in TGI Fridays and they had words and phrases for alot of stuff

if for example the ribey steak was '86' it had run out, and when it was re stocked it was '68'.

apparently i was told there that the menaing is that a bloke in new york city accidentally fell out of a window of a skyscraper on the 86th floor and was miraculously blown back in by a gust of wind on the 68th floor.

Answer 7

basically it means to cancel.not to throw it out.