where does the term...86.. meaning out of...come from?

Question

if a restaurnat is out of chicken, for example, they use the term 86chicken...why 86?

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 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

Good Lord! I have read five different answers to this....I have heard it on TV when tossing food out in a restarant, they say 86 it...Even in my office when not wanting to deal with an issue, papers, someone has said in joking fashion to 86 it and put it in the trash. Whatever it's origin it means to just forget it.

Answer 3

My boyfriend just explained this one to me. It has to do with a code number that used to be ( I don't know if it still is) assigned to the description of "leaving off". So instead of saying "without" people just used the "86" as a way of saying "no" this or that. Someone please correct me if I was misinformed!