What does it mean: To 86 someone?

The phrase "to 86 someone" is a common piece of American slang, particularly prevalent in the hospitality industry, signifying a refusal of service or the act of ejecting someone from an establishment. When a bartender or restaurant manager "86es" a patron, they are effectively telling that individual they are no longer welcome or will not be served further, often due to disruptive behavior, intoxication, or an inability to pay. Beyond people, the term can also apply to menu items, meaning that a particular dish or ingredient is no longer available, having been "thrown out" or "discarded" from the offerings for the day.

The precise origin of "86" is widely debated, with several colorful theories vying for credibility, though no single explanation has been definitively proven. One popular theory suggests it emerged from soda fountain slang in the 1930s, where "86" was a code among staff to indicate that a particular item was "all out of it" or "nixed" from the menu. This aligns with the broader meaning of discarding or canceling something. Another plausible idea is that "86" is simply rhyming slang for "nix," which means to forbid, refuse, or veto.

Other intriguing possibilities include a connection to Chumley's, a Prohibition-era speakeasy at 86 Bedford Street in New York City. Legend has it that police would call ahead to warn of a raid, telling the bartender to "86" the customers, prompting them to exit through the 86 Bedford Street door. There's also a theory related to whiskey proof; before the 1980s, common whiskey proofs included 100 and 86, and a bartender might "86" an overly inebriated customer by switching them to the lower 86-proof liquor or, more drastically, by removing them from the premises altogether. While its exact beginnings remain a mystery, the term has firmly established itself in everyday language to mean getting rid of something or someone.