What is the Origin of Term "Eighty Six"?
"You're 86ed!" If you've ever heard this, you probably know what it means, but you probably didn't have the chance to stick around to discuss the origins of the term. It's often heard in bars and restaurants, and is popular slang for someone who is banned from an establishment. But it can also refer to an item on a menu that is no longer available. According to several sources, "86" has its roots in New York City in the 1920s, but there are different opinions about the specific location and circumstances.
Other People Are Reading
-
New York State Liquor Code
-
One popular theory about the origins of "86" has its roots in the New York State Liquor Code. Article 86 of the code describes the circumstances under which a customer should be refused service. When a bar patron had become drunk or unruly, he would be "86ed," refused service and often ejected from the premises.
Chumley's
-
One of the most well-known theories about the term involves the speakeasy Chumley's, an illegal drinking establishment that operated during Prohibition. Patrons would enter Chumley's through a discreet side door in an attached courtyard. Located at 86 Bedford Street, Chumley's had policemen on the payroll who would inform the bartender that they would be raiding. The bartender would then yell "86!" This meant that everyone would have to leave by the main 86 entrance, as the police would be coming in the courtyard door.
Another theory related to Chumley's is that drunk patrons who were thrown out of the premises would find themselves on the street underneath the "86 Bedford" sign. Thus, they were "86ed." -
Delmonico's
-
One 86 theory is based around Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City. Item number 86 on the menu was the house steak, a rib-eye steak still sometimes called the "Delmonico." Delmonico's often ran out of the steak, and some believe this is the start of restaurants using "86" to describe an item that is no longer available.
Great Depression Soup Kitchens
-
Another lesser-known theory involves the soup kitchens of the Great Depression. The standard soup cauldrons held 85 cups of soup. Consequently, there would be nothing left for the 86th person. She was "86ed."
Soda Fountains
-
According to Inspirationonline.com, workers at soda fountains in the 1920s also used the term "86." If the soda fountain had run out of strawberry ice cream, it was "86ed." But the soda fountains also used other numerical codes. A root beer was a "55," the boss was "99," and the person in charge when the boss was gone was "98." Even attractive females were not immune to this "coding": a pretty girl was an "87½."
-
