Where did the term "eighty-six" come from?

[coloradodem2005]

In regards to getting rid of someone. I have heard it and I don't understand the etemology of it.

[lazarus]

1. Always check with Uncle Cecil

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_291b.html

"Cecil presumes you are using the term "86" to mean "to put the kibosh on," generally said of some unusually retarded scheme or idea, such as anything thought up by the sales department, the New York office, or that turkey who's angling for your job.

The term derives via a roundabout route from a number code allegedly in wide use in 1920s diners and soda fountains. 86 supposedly meant, "We're all out of the item ordered," said by the cook or some other honcho to a soda jerk or similar minion.

Why 86 and not, say, the square root of 2? The most plausible explanation I've heard is that 86 is rhyming slang for "nix.""

[Blecht]

2. This guy is usually right

...
The term derives via a roundabout route from a number code allegedly in wide use in 1920s diners and soda fountains. 86 supposedly meant, "We're all out of the item ordered," said by the cook or some other honcho to a soda jerk or similar minion.

Why 86 and not, say, the square root of 2? The most plausible explanation I've heard is that 86 is rhyming slang for "nix."
...

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_291b.html

[speedoo]

8. "86 on the burgers"

--The term derives via a roundabout route from a number code allegedly in wide use in 1920s diners and soda fountains. 86 supposedly meant, "We're all out of the item ordered," said by the cook or some other honcho to a soda jerk or similar minion.--

It was still widely used in the 60's, when I was working my way through college as a soda jerk in various Manhattan Rexall drug stores.

[Blecht]

3. lazarus is quick on the draw

:P

[lazarus]

5. Indeed

:hi:

[Nambe]

4. Here's a bunch of origins.

86 Bedford Street was the street address for Chumley's, a rowdy New York speakeasy that often forcibly ejected, or "eighty-sixed," drunk and disorderly patrons.

While most bars served 100-proof alcohol, troublesome clients were often served the "watered down" 86-proof booze.

A popular menu item was number 86, and so was often out.

A very popular New York restaurant only had 85 tables.

An early New York streetcar line ran from 14th street to -- you guessed it -- 86th Street. Conductors would call out "Eighty six! End of the line!"

In the British merchant marines, crews were held to 85, so the 86th man was left behind.

[necso]

6. Another.

"During culinary school, I was told it was for the trash barges. They were required to reach 86 fathoms before dispersing their load. "86 and out"

I am struck by the similarity between "86" and "Deep 6".

[ParanoidPat]

7. IIRC, 86 was the address of a building next door to a speakeasy......

......in New York City. When the place would get raided, the patrons would '86' it out to the street through one of several secret passages. :)

There are several other plausible explanations here. http://www.wordsmith.org/awad/awadmail90.html