86 something what does it mean

Other conjectures suggest that specific restaurants or watering holes were legally barred from hosting more than 85 patrons on their premises at any one time, thus the 86th person to attempt to gain entry would be denied service. Or that a particular legal code such as one governing liquor laws contained an Article 86 that had something to do with refusing service or otherwise saying no to someone.

Those theories are shaky at best, in that no evidence in support of either has yet surfaced. Far more outlandish explanations have also been offered. That etymology fails on a few points. Some think to attempt to tie the origin of the term to Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the AWOL absent without leave section of that code that makes it a crime for one serving in the military to fail to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed, to leave his place of duty, or to be absent from his unit without authority.

Popular Latest. The Atlantic Crossword. Sign In Subscribe. Glass of water; also root beer. Two glasses of water. There is varying anecdotal evidence about why the term eighty-six was used, but the most common theory is that it is rhyming slang for nix. Slang terms come from a wide variety of sources; the military, the newsroom, and the arts have all proved to be exceptionally fertile grounds for the creation of new words.

Perhaps chief among these is eighty-six. A tale of etymology and egg creams. First appearing in the early s as a noun, eighty-six which is also written as 86 referred to an item at a soda fountain, or lunch counter, that had been sold out. It did not take long for the word to broaden its use beyond the realm of the soda counter. Carbon cats are musicians who purloin ideas…. In the s the word underwent some functional shift , and began to be used as a verb.

In a restaurant, 86 means to no longer make or serve a given item. This is often done for a few reasons:. Now that you know all about the term 86, you can use it in your own restaurant or bar.

It's a quick and effective way to let your kitchen staff know not to make something.