Date: Sat, 29 Apr 1995 10:16:15 -0400

From: "J. Russell King" JRKing[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM

Subject: Re: "You're eighty-six, man!"



May have started in another guise, but at least here in New York City

"eighty six" is bartender's slang for a customer who won't be served anymore,

who has been cut off (because of rude behavior or being too drunk). "He's

been eighty-sixed."

An extended meaning I've also heard is when the kitchen has run out of a

particular item, or the bar is out of a particular wine, that item is "eighty

six" or "eighty sixed" -- used in conversations between waiters and

bartenders, or waiters and the kitchen.

Somebody probably has a notion of the ultimate origin, but I don't.