What does it mean when one says something has been "86'd" and where did that term come from?

Answer 1

Most alchohol that we drink is 86 proof or 43% alchohol. They reached their limit.

Answer 2

I Don't Know Its Origin But I Do Know It Is A Popular Term Used In The Restaurant Buisness As A Way To Say Without Or Out Of, If We Run Out Of A Certain Product We 86 It, Or If Someone Wants An Item Without Something Like A Steak With No Seasoning, The Ticket Will Say 'Porter 86 Seasoning' And the Cook Will Know Not To Use Seasoning!

Answer 3

When you're 86'd it means you are kicked out of an establishment (most often bars).

There are many stories of the origin of this expression. Here are a few of them.

1) Chumley's, a bar in Greenwich Village, which during speakeasy days through unruly customers out the back door, which is number 86 Bedford Street - they were '86'd.'

2) Same bar, Chumley's same time period - the front door address was 86 Worth Street and there was a chalk board inside the front door with the address painted across the top - the chalkboard was were items that had been sold out were posted - it soon became known as the '86' board.

3) Same time period, maybe the same bar, when a new customer (not a regular) came into the speakeasy, the bartender would '86' them - serve them 86 proof booze instead of the 100 or higher proof stuff reserved for the regulars.

4) Similar to #3: drunks were given 86 proof booze instead of higher proof stuff they had been drinking.

5) Same city, different restaurant - Delmonico's at the turn of the century had a menu with more than 100 items. They always seemed to be out of #86, and it became an expression used by the service staff meaning to be out of something - 86'd.

6) Same city (New York) The old Manhattan subway route ended at 86th Street. That's it, all out, can't go further, everybody out. You were 86'd.

7) A grave is 8 feet long, 6 feet deep. 86'd.

8) French soldiers in WW I were issued 85 bullets - 86 and that's it!

Answer 4

Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon 1) beginning, origin 2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader 3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause The understanding of 'origin' and 'active cause' in this word is where water comes bubbling out of the ground is the source, origin, cause of the river. The water is still part of of the river, and is not the creator of the river. Truly understanding english will help you to understand what John wrote at Rev 3:14. Even the NASB a very Trinitarian bible equates Rev 3:14 "beginning' with Prov. 8:22. The General is the leader, but he is still part of the army.

Answer 5

To remove, end usage, or take something out or away.

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.

Answer 6

I worked my way through college in a bar in the 79' Jimfix is exactly correct. When a person reaches and intoxicated state they are "86'd" Meaning they do not get any more. It has been appplied to a lot of other things but that is the original.

Answer 7

It means they or it has been kicked out of somewhere/something. It comes from an old military term for being discharged.

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 8

To be "86"ed is to be dead. It was used in the old days (even before it's use with bartenders). It refers to being buried (as a corpse would be ) in a grave that is 8 feet long and 6 feet deep - the standard grave measurements.

Answer 9

In restaurant language it means you are out of something, like "86" the special.

Answer 10

If it's been 86'd is means that it has been deleted, an event stopped, something cut out...
Don't know where it came from.