You're in the middle of a Friday night rush. The ticket machine is screaming like a banshee. You scream back, "86 the salmon!" Just like that, the fish is dead. Not literally—well, it was already dead—but it's off the menu.
Ever wonder why we say that?
It’s a weirdly specific number. Why not 72? Why not 99? If you've spent even twenty minutes scrubbing a flat-top or carrying a tray, you know what does 86 mean in a practical sense. It means "get rid of it." It means "we're out." It means "kick that guy in the corner out because he's had four too many Old Fashioneds." But the history of the phrase is a messy, tangled ball of yarn involving Prohibition-era speakeasies, Navy code, and maybe even a specific soup.
Where 86 actually comes from (and what's just a myth)
Honestly, most people who tell you they know the "true" origin are probably full of it. There isn't one single birth certificate for the term. But there are a few heavy hitters.
The most popular story—the one your grizzled lead line cook probably believes—revolves around Chumley's. It’s a legendary (and still existing) speakeasy in New York City located at 86 Bedford Street. Back in the 1920s, the cops were allegedly on the payroll. When a raid was coming, a friendly officer would call the bar and tell them to "86" their guests. This meant everyone needed to scram out the 86 Bedford Street exit while the police came through the front door for a "show" raid. It sounds cool. It sounds authentic. It’s also nearly impossible to prove.
Then you have the Navy theory.
The military loves a good code. In the old days, some say the term originated from the "Standard Form 86." This was a document used to determine if someone was a security risk or if they should be discharged. If you were 86'd, you were booted. Another maritime theory points to the "Rule 86" of the Merchant Marine, which supposedly dealt with disposing of trash at sea. You toss the junk overboard, and it’s gone. 86'd.
The Delmonico’s Connection
Have you ever heard of the 86th item on the menu?
Delmonico's in New York is basically the godfather of American fine dining. Legend has it that their menu used to have 85 consistent items. The 86th item was always a rotating special that frequently ran out. When it was gone, it was 86. Is this true? Probably not. Menus back then weren't numbered like a Chinese takeout joint in 2026. But it makes for a great story during a shift drink.
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The Rhyming Slang Theory
Language is weird.
In Cockney rhyming slang, you replace a word with a phrase that rhymes with it. "Apples and pears" means stairs. "Trouble and strife" means wife. Some linguists argue that 86 is just rhyming slang for "nix."
Nix. Eighty-six. It’s simple. It’s snappy. It fits the way kitchen crews talk—short, fast, and to the point. When you’re in the weeds, you don’t have time for a three-syllable explanation. You need a sharp sound that cuts through the noise of clinking plates and sizzling grease.
What 86 means in 2026
The world has changed, but the kitchen hasn't. Not really.
Today, if you're a manager at a high-end bistro or a dive bar, what does 86 mean to your bottom line? It means a loss of revenue. When you 86 a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle or a prime rib, you're literally marking a "no" on your inventory sheet.
It’s also become a social term.
You can 86 a toxic friend. You can 86 a bad habit. It’s transitioned from the back of the house to the front of our lives. It implies a finality that "cancel" or "remove" just doesn't capture. When something is 86'd, there is no negotiation. It’s deleted. Gone.
The darker side of getting 86'd
In the bar industry, getting 86'd isn't just about running out of beer. It’s a ban.
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If you get 86'd from your local pub, you’re persona non grata. It usually happens for three reasons:
- You started a fight.
- You’re a "creeper" who won't leave the staff alone.
- You didn't pay your tab.
Most bars keep a literal or figurative "86 list" behind the counter. In 2026, many places have switched to digital blacklists. If a bouncer scans your ID and a red light flashes, you’ve been 86'd from the premises. It’s an effective way to keep the peace, though it lacks the cinematic flair of a bartender physically tossing a guy out onto the sidewalk.
Does 86 appear in literature?
You bet. Writers like Ernest Hemingway and Damon Runyon loved the grit of the city. While the term was emerging in the early 20th century, it became a staple of "hardboiled" fiction. It painted a picture of a world where everything was disposable. If a character "got 86'd," you knew they weren't coming back for the sequel.
The first recorded usage in print is often debated, but it started popping up in slang dictionaries in the 1940s. By then, it was firmly entrenched in the American lexicon. It wasn't just kitchen talk anymore; it was part of the national identity.
Why we can’t stop using it
Psychologically, humans love codes. We love feeling like we're part of an "in-group." Using restaurant slang makes you feel like you've earned your stripes.
When a regular at a diner hears the waitress shout "86 the meatloaf," they feel a tiny spark of connection to the inner workings of the place. It's a shared language. It’s also incredibly efficient. In a high-stress environment, "86" is much easier to hear than "We have unfortunately depleted our stock of the braised short ribs."
Efficiency is the king of the kitchen.
If you're looking to understand what does 86 mean in a broader cultural context, think of it as a tool for boundary setting. It’s the ultimate "No." It’s a verbal eraser.
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Misconceptions about the number
Some people try to link it to the height of a grave—eight feet long and six feet deep.
That’s a myth.
A standard grave is usually six feet deep, but the dimensions don't actually fit the 86 pattern. Others think it’s related to the temperature at which something boils or freezes, but the math just doesn't check out. It’s human nature to want a logical, mathematical reason for everything, but sometimes slang is just a happy accident of phonetics and circumstance.
Actionable ways to use 86 in your business
If you run a business—not just a restaurant—you can actually learn a lot from the "86 mentality." It’s about decisive action.
- Audit your "menu": Look at your product offerings or your daily tasks. What is taking up space but providing no value? 86 it.
- Clear the noise: If a process is broken and causing more "86" moments (lost revenue) than "85" moments (successful sales), you need to kill the process entirely.
- Be clear with your team: Use the 86 rule for communication. If a project is dead, don't let it linger. Call the 86 and move on to the next ticket.
In the end, the history of 86 is as murky as a dirty martini. Whether it came from a door on Bedford Street or a rhyming cook in a frantic lunch rush doesn't really change the impact. It remains the most powerful two-digit number in the service industry.
Next time you’re out and the server tells you the kitchen had to 86 your favorite appetizer, don’t be too annoyed. You’re witnessing a century of linguistic history in action. They aren't just saying they're out of food; they're participating in a tradition that spans from Prohibition gangsters to modern-day Michelin-star chefs.
To apply this to your own life, start by identifying the "86 list" of your personal habits.
Find the things that are draining your energy without providing a return on investment. Write them down. Then, figuratively (or literally) shout it out to the universe: 86 the late-night scrolling, 86 the people who only call when they need a favor, and 86 the fear of trying something new. Once the menu is clear of the junk, you finally have room to cook something worth serving.
Practical Next Steps
- Inventory Check: Go through your pantry or your workspace today. If you haven't used an item in 86 days, it's time to 86 it for real. Donate or discard.
- Learn the Lingo: If you're entering the service industry, memorize the "86" list before every shift. Knowing what you don't have is just as important as knowing what you do.
- Audit Your Circle: Take a hard look at your social commitments. If an event or a group doesn't bring you joy or growth, 86 it from your calendar to make room for what actually matters.