where does the term, "86" come from when referring to leaving something out? ex: 86 the bacon!!?

Answer 1

The wikipedia article is less than helpful here. It provides a convenient collection of many of the explanations that have been offered -- but the list is a mixed bag of reasonable and IMPOSSIBLE answers.

Here is an assessment of several of the suggestions, including those already given-- some of which are, in fact, IMPOSSIBLE! (see esp (1a) and (1c) below)

KEY - the expression was well-established in restaurants by the mid 1920s--along with other short # codes used by waiters and waitresses-- as shorthand for something that could not be served because it had run out. Apparently it was later extended to mean "refuse to serve" and even to kick out/bounce someone.

1) Note the date. MANY of the suggestions can be ruled out for the simple reason that the expression was established BEFORE the "reason"! Such as:

a) explanations based on things that did not even EXIST at the first known use of the expression (by the mid 1920s) -- Chumbley's went up in 1927, the Empire State Building in 1931, the New York Liquor Authority in 1934 (Other supposed sources are as late as the 1950s!)

Limits on # of beds or portions that are related to Great Depression era soup lines, etc. won't work either, since the Depression began in 1929.

b) explanations thats depend on the LIQUOR connection ('stop serving') which is a LATER derived use (no earlier than the 1930s)...

Related to this, too many explanations depend on claims that no one offers ANY source for (such as a purported law never actually cited or a general reference to "A restaurant" or "a morgue"...)

c) connecting it with the Uniform Code of Military Justice section regarding AWOL soldiers.
In this case there really IS a number basis -- UCMJ Sub Chapter X Article 86 treats this subject.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Code_of_Military_Justice
Only one problem -- this legislation passed Congress May 5, 1950 and became effective on 31 May 1951!

2) Suggestions based on there being only 85 of something available

Well perhaps, but those offering thing provide NO evidence for this number (an unusual one at that). Note again that several of these fail because the cause came too late.

(For some of these there is also evidence or good reason to think there was NOT 85 or 86 of the thing suggested. For example, I don't think the British Merchant Marine ship crews of the early 20th century were anything like that large)


3) Other suggestions:

a) rhyming for "nix" (meaning "nothing", that is, we're out)... "nix" was borrowed from German "nichts" (This expression WAS around well before 1920.)

b) the famous Delmonico restaurant's menu item #86 --rib eye steak-- was so popular that they often ran out.. so that "86" came to be used for "we're out of that"

c) a Morse code abbreviation ? (the system began in 1859, and did include some two-digit numeric codes . . . BUT I have not found any list including "86" yet!)

Note that THESE three suggestions all fit in with the setting of 'slang' and or 'codes' that actually were in use at the time.

At this point, I'd have to say the rhyme with "nix" s and the Delmonico menu number are the two most reasonable ideas, but more from the WEAKNESS of the other explanations!


BONUS TRIVIA --this expression is the inspiration (along with the "007" spoofing) for Maxwell Smart's being "Agent 86" (to suggest, I think "we're all out of REAL agents, so here's what you get!")

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

used as a verb, to "eighty-six" means to "ignore" or "get rid of". The first recorded usage of this term occurs in the mid-1930s. Suggested theories of the origin of this usage include (in no particular order):
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." However, if so, it would be a wholly American origin, and thus would be 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. However, there is no recorded usage of this term in the nineteenth century.
Another explanation is that Chumley's, which was a famous 1900s New York speakeasy, is 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 being AWOL, therefore 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 water needed for a burial at sea.
One possible origin is the public outdoor observatory on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, the site of more than 30 suicides.
Another origin related to the Empire State Building is the fact that all the elevators stop at the 86th floor. Hence, everyone had to leave. The building opened in 1931, apparently a few years before the term became popular.

Answer 4

Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the one describing Absent Without Leave.

Answer 5

"86 it" - where did it originate? - ehMac.ca
... of words and phrases, I've recently come across the expression "86 it" ... "86 it" - where did it originate? User Name. Remember Me? Password. FAQ. Members List ...
www.ehmac.ca/everything-else-eh/52506-86-where-did-originate.html -

Yahoo! Answers - Where did the term 86ed originate?
2 answers - kicked out of a bar or refised to be served at a bar. where did tha term 86ed originate ... a reference to article 86 of the New York state ...
answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070816210449AAdofYy -

Answer 6

Prior to WWII, there was a very elaborate restaurant, of which 86 is a lone survivor

Answer 7

http://www.foodreference.com/html/art86.html

8 examples of 86 in the link above.