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by Anonymous on March 14th, 2006

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Where did the slang term "86ed" come from?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by Anonymous on December 27th, 2007

    Anonymous

    "Origin unknown" is the best answer anyone can come up with. (Don't believe the wild claims at Urbandictionary. They lack research and scholarship to back them up.)

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  • by Alatea on March 21st, 2006

    Alatea

    A few theories.

    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'

    The exact origins of diner slang have not been clearly identified. There appears to be some common usage by black waiters in the 1870s and 1880s. Diner slang was popular in diners, lunch rooms and luncheonettes from the 1920s until the 1970s. Although many of the terms were created for fun and to lighten up the stress of the restaurant environment, having distinct names for menu items helped the short order cooks.

    http://www.dinermuseum.org/culture/culture-slang.php

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  • by Olin_R on January 13th, 2011

    Olin_R

    In the days of the Speakeasys, many times there was a piano player who would entertain the customers. It was accepted practice to buy a new piano when 2 of the piano keys were broken and no longer worked. So when a piano was reduced to 86 working keys it would be pitched in a very unceremonious manner and new piano with 88 keys would be brought in. That is how the term 86ed started.

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  • by alexanderchavez on June 12th, 2010

    alexanderchavez

    "86'ed" has actually traveled a little ways, unlike the other answerers are posting. During the Korean War, the F-86 Fighter Jet overpowered its enemies. It was our ace in the sleeve, during the war. Its the equivalent of being "shot down" in our slang, today.

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