The Origin and Usage of the Term 86

"You're 86'd!" Who Said it First?

86 may be the most common term uttered in bars and restaurants. It means the supply of an item is exhausted, as in "Tell the customer to order another appetizer. The soup du jour is 86'd. We're out." It is used to cut customers off as well, as in "Don't serve Drunk Guy over there anymore, he's 86'd." It can go as far as meaning to eject or debar from the premises, as in "Johnny's 86'd. Every time he comes in here he starts a fight, so he is no longer welcome." The term is used often, yet not everyone knows where it came from. The following are some of the many theories of where the term originated.

My favorite theory is that it originated at Chumley's, a famous 1900's New York speakeasy located at 86 Bedford St.. During Prohibition, the entrance through an interior adjoining courtyard was used for it was both discreet and private. As per New York tradition, cops were on Chumley's payroll, and when they were about to raid the joint, they would call ahead. The bartender would then give the command "86 everybody," which meant that everyone should hightail it out the Bedford St. entrance for the cops were coming in through the courtyard.

Some people say the address of the bar is pure coincidence, and the term originated in rhyming slang used by workers so that the average customer didn't know what they were taking about. 86 rhymes with nix.

Another theory is that it originated with the number codes developed by soda fountain clerks. 86 was the password indicating they were out of an item. These codes were extensive, such as a 98 from one soda popper to another meant, "the assistant manager is on the prowl so watch yourself."

Some say 86 originated at Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City. Number 86 on their menu was steak and the most popular item. It often sold out. From there 86 became shorthand for being out of an item.

Or it originated in soup kitchens and breadlines of the Great Depression. The standard cauldron would hold 85 cups of soup. Thus the 86^th person was out of luck.