What does it mean: To 86 someone?

In the world of restaurants and bars, this numeric slang is a common and serious term. If a kitchen runs out of a specific menu item, that dish is considered "86'd" for the night. More dramatically, if a customer becomes unruly or is refused service, they are also "86'd," meaning they are ejected from the establishment. The term has since expanded into general use, meaning to get rid of, cancel, or discard anything, but its roots are firmly planted in the service industry.

The exact origin of the phrase is a classic linguistic mystery with several compelling, if unproven, theories. The most popular story points to a former Prohibition-era speakeasy in New York City called Chumley's. Located at 86 Bedford Street, it famously had multiple exits. Legend says that when police were about to raid the front, the staff would shout "86!" as a code for patrons to flee out the back entrance onto 86th street.

A more probable, if less exciting, explanation comes from old-school soda fountain or diner lingo. It may have been simple shorthand for an item that was no longer available, or possibly rhyming slang for the word "nix."