We’ve all encountered the term “86” in restaurants, typically indicating that a particular menu item is sold out or unavailable. But where did this ubiquitous piece of restaurant slang actually originate? The answer, it turns out, is far from straightforward, shrouded in mystery and folklore, with etymological theories as varied as the dishes on a diner menu.
Like many linguistic puzzles, the true genesis of “86” is elusive, sparking numerous captivating, yet often conflicting, explanations. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of culinary slang and explore some of the most popular theories behind the term “86.”
Decoding the Origins: A Platter of Theories
The quest to pinpoint the origin of “86” is like navigating a historical maze. Over time, numerous theories have emerged, each attempting to claim the definitive answer. While none can be definitively proven, they offer a compelling glimpse into the potential cultural and historical influences that may have shaped this intriguing term.
The Soup Kitchen Chronicles
One theory transports us back to the Great Depression era soup kitchens. These kitchens, serving countless individuals in need, often utilized large soup pots. Legend has it that a standard soup pot held approximately 85 cups of soup. Therefore, when the 86th person arrived in line, they were, unfortunately, out of luck – or, in slang terms, “86’d” out of soup. This theory roots the term in scarcity and the harsh realities of the Depression era.
Military Mayhem and Coded Language
The military, with its penchant for codes and jargon, offers several compelling theories.
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Fighter Jet Folklore: One theory, popular during the Korean War, suggests a connection to the F-86 Sabre fighter jet. When an F-86 successfully shot down an enemy aircraft, it was said to have “86’d” it from the sky. This theory links the term to elimination or removal.
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Article 86: Absence Without Leave (AWOL): The Uniform Code of Military Justice includes Article 86, which pertains to being “Absent Without Leave,” or AWOL. Being AWOL essentially means being “out of service” or “unavailable,” mirroring the restaurant use of “86.”
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Rotary Phone Shorthand: Another intriguing military-related theory involves the rotary phone. On these phones, the number 8 key corresponded to the letter “T,” and the number 6 key to “O.” Therefore, to “throw out” something could be quickly communicated as “86” in military shorthand.
Bartender Tales and Prohibition Era Speak-Easies
The world of bartenders, known for developing their own colorful lingo, presents several plausible origins:
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Proof and Potency: In the Old West, 100 proof liquor was the standard. When a patron became overly intoxicated, bartenders might switch them to a less potent, 86 proof liquor, effectively “86’ing” them from the stronger stuff.
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“Old Eighty-Six” Shaving Powder: A more colorful, albeit less substantiated, tale involves “Old Eighty-Six,” a popular shaving powder from bygone days. Rumor has it that a pinch of this powder in a rowdy customer’s drink was a bartender’s trick to make them leave, thus “86’ing” them from the premises.
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Speakeasy Secrecy: New York City, particularly during the Prohibition era, provides another compelling narrative. Chumley’s, a speakeasy located at 86 Bedford Street in Greenwich Village, was a clandestine establishment with no address on its door and multiple hidden exits. When law enforcement arrived (“the heat”), patrons were known to “86 it,” meaning to discreetly and quickly exit the premises.
New York City Narratives
Beyond speakeasies, New York City itself is central to several other “86” origin stories:
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Empire State Building Tragedy: A grim theory ties “86” to the Empire State Building. Before safety fences were installed on the observation deck, located on the 86th floor, individuals tragically used it to commit suicide by jumping. This theory links “86” with being permanently “out of service” or eliminated.
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Code 86 for Intoxicated Patrons: Local lore suggests a New York City “Code 86” that made it illegal for bartenders to serve visibly drunk patrons. Bartenders would use “86” as a discreet way to inform such customers they could no longer be served, meaning they were “86’d.”
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Elevated Train Ejections: Another New York City theory involves the elevated trains. The 86th Street station was a common terminus. Conductors were said to toss off any passengers who had passed out drunk on board at this stop, labeling these ejected individuals as “86’s.”
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The 86th Precinct: Law enforcement also enters the narrative with the 86th precinct of the NYPD. Supposedly, officers in other precincts who made repeated mistakes were threatened with being transferred to the notoriously demanding and understaffed 86th precinct. This threat of being “86’d” to the 86th precinct served as a disciplinary measure.
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Delmonico’s Steak and Menu Codes: A more culinary-focused New York theory points to Delmonico’s Restaurant, a legendary establishment. Item number 86 on their menu was reportedly a steak, their most popular dish, and thus frequently sold out. “86” may have evolved as shorthand for being out of this specific, popular item, and then generalized to mean being out of any menu item.
Beyond the Kitchen and City Limits
The theories extend even further, venturing into other industries and practices:
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Filmmaking Filters: The world of filmmaking offers a technical explanation. Light filters are numbered, with #85 being among the darkest. A hypothetical #86 filter, being even darker, would essentially negate the image entirely, “86’ing” it from being photographed.
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Graveyard Depths: A rather macabre theory suggests a connection to graves. 86 inches is considered the standard depth of a grave in the United States. Therefore, to “86” something could metaphorically mean to bury it, to remove it permanently.
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Teletype Terminology: In the era of teletype news delivery, coded numbers were used for efficiency. “30” signified the end of a story. “86” was supposedly used to indicate a story or item sent in error or that should be discarded, effectively “86’ing” it from circulation.
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Electrical Industry Codes: The electrical industry utilizes number codes for devices. While 27 is an undervoltage relay and 43 is a selector switch, 86 is a “trip and lockout device.” An “86 operation” signifies that a piece of equipment is out of service, aligning with the “unavailable” meaning of “86.”
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Soda Jerk Slang: Finally, even soda jerks are implicated. Some believe “86” originated as a number code used by soda jerks to indicate they were out of a particular soda ingredient or flavor.
The Unsettled Mystery of “86”
As we can see, the origin of “86” remains a fascinating enigma. From soup kitchens to military jargon, from bartender secrets to New York City lore, and even extending to filmmaking and electrical codes, the theories are abundant and diverse.
While no single theory has been definitively proven as the sole origin, the sheer volume and variety of explanations underscore the term’s rich, albeit murky, history. Perhaps the beauty of “86” lies in its very mystery, a testament to the evolving and often untraceable nature of slang.
So, the next time you hear “86” in a restaurant, remember that you’re participating in a linguistic tradition with roots stretching back through decades and across a multitude of potential origins. And if someone asks you “Where Did The Term 86 Come From?”, you can confidently respond, just like the original article’s author: “I don’t really know, but there are about 86 theories!”
