The term "86" most likely originated from 1930s soda fountain or diner slang, where it was used as a code to indicate an item was "out of stock" or "sold out". It likely served as simple, efficient rhyming slang for "nix" (meaning to cancel or reject). Over time, this evolved into restaurant lingo for rejecting an unruly customer or getting rid of something.
Top Origin Theories:
Soda Jerk/Diner Slang (1930s): The most commonly accepted origin, "86" was listed in early slang dictionaries as a way for soda fountains to say they were out of a product.
Chumley’s Speakeasy (Prohibition): A popular, though unverified, story claims that police would warn the manager of Chumley’s bar in NYC (located at 86 Bedford St) before a raid, instructing him to have customers "86" themselves out the back door.
Rhyming Slang for "Nix": "Eighty-six" is believed to be a phonetic match for "nix," used by restaurant workers to cancel orders or reject patrons.
Bar/Liquor Proof: Some suggest it originated from bartenders serving customers "86 proof" whiskey rather than 100 proof to limit intoxication. [this is the dumbest one qeq]
Military/Engineering: Others suggest it stems from military jargon for disposing of items, or that on early rotary phones, "86" was a quick code for a commonly used phrase.
Regardless of the true origin, the term became widespread in restaurant vocabulary during the 20th century to signify that an item is unavailable or a person is banned.
There are many popular but unsubstantiated theories about the origin of eighty-six. The explanation judged most probable according to Merriam-Webster's research is that the word was created as a rhyming slang word for nix, which means “to veto” or “to reject.”
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AI Overview
The term "86" most likely originated from 1930s soda fountain or diner slang, where it was used as a code to indicate an item was "out of stock" or "sold out". It likely served as simple, efficient rhyming slang for "nix" (meaning to cancel or reject). Over time, this evolved into restaurant lingo for rejecting an unruly customer or getting rid of something.
Top Origin Theories:
Soda Jerk/Diner Slang (1930s): The most commonly accepted origin, "86" was listed in early slang dictionaries as a way for soda fountains to say they were out of a product.
Chumley’s Speakeasy (Prohibition): A popular, though unverified, story claims that police would warn the manager of Chumley’s bar in NYC (located at 86 Bedford St) before a raid, instructing him to have customers "86" themselves out the back door.
Rhyming Slang for "Nix": "Eighty-six" is believed to be a phonetic match for "nix," used by restaurant workers to cancel orders or reject patrons.
Bar/Liquor Proof: Some suggest it originated from bartenders serving customers "86 proof" whiskey rather than 100 proof to limit intoxication. [this is the dumbest one qeq]
Military/Engineering: Others suggest it stems from military jargon for disposing of items, or that on early rotary phones, "86" was a quick code for a commonly used phrase.
Regardless of the true origin, the term became widespread in restaurant vocabulary during the 20th century to signify that an item is unavailable or a person is banned.
https://www.stlmag.com/dining/Ask-George-Where-Does-the-Term-86d-Come-From/
Interesting.
u/chachi u/Notimportant81 u/purkiss80
It is a bit concerning, by the same note, that ivermectin is concentrated at 1.87%…