posted May 04, 2009 01:28 PM         

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eight·y-six or 86
tr.v. eight·y-sixed or 86·ed, eight·y-six·ing or 86·ing, eight·y-six·es or 86·es Slang
1. To refuse to serve (an unwelcome customer) at a bar or restaurant.
2.
a. To throw out; eject.
b. To throw away; discard.

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Article 86 of the New York State Liquor Code
defines the circumstances in which a bar patron should be refused alcohol or '86ed'.

The Soup Kitchen Theory
during the depression of the 1930s, soup kitchens would often make just enough soup for 85 people. If you were next in line after number 85, you were '86ed'.

The Eight Feet By Six Feet Theory
A coffin is usually eight feet long and is buried six feet under. Once in your coffin you've been 'eight by sixed', which shortens to '86ed'

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The theory is that the term came from the address of a certain restaurant in New York City which had an unusual number of clientele needing to be forcibly removed or asked in the strongest terms possible to vacate the premises and not come back.

86 (eighty-six) ---"Do not sell to that customer" or "The kitchen is out of the item ordered." Perhaps from the practice at Chumley's Restaurant in New York City of throwing rowdy customers out the back door, which is No. 86 Bedford Street. The term certainly predates its first appearance in print circa 1967.

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posted May 05, 2009 06:59 AM         

I appreciate the replies. Thanks.