Was the Term 86 Used by Gangsters and Criminals
Etymologists often struggle to pin down the exact origins of slang because it evolves rapidly in underground settings. While the idea that mobsters used 86 to order a hit or eject someone from a speakeasy makes for a compelling story, it lacks documentation. Most evidence points toward a mundane origin in diner kitchens, where it served as a fast, coded way to communicate inventory shortages to waitstaff.
What is the earliest recorded etymological evidence for the term 86?
The earliest print evidence appears in a 1933 issue of the American Speech journal, which documented the term as soda fountain slang. It specifically referred to running out of an item, predating later, more violent associations that emerged in popular media during the mid-20th century.
Quick facts
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Gangster origin | Unverified |
| Primary usage | Restaurant industry |
| Earliest print | 1930s |
| Linguistic root | Numerical shorthand |
How did the term transition from criminal slang to common restaurant industry jargon?
The transition from niche slang to industry standard occurred as restaurant chains expanded across the United States during the 1940s. Managers needed a fast, coded way to communicate inventory shortages to waitstaff without alerting customers. By using 86, a server could instantly grasp that a dish was unavailable, streamlining service during the frantic dinner rush. This efficiency made it a staple in professional kitchens from New York to Los Angeles.
A notable nuance is that the term’s meaning shifted based on geography and context. While most kitchens used it for inventory, some regions adopted it to describe an unruly patron who needed to be removed. This dual usage created confusion, yet the inventory definition remained the primary, functional standard for decades. Despite its occasional use for ejection, the term’s survival is largely due to its utility in inventory control rather than any criminal legacy.
What role did Prohibition-era speakeasies play in the popularization of this expression?
Speakeasies did not popularize the term, as it simply did not exist in the common lexicon of 1920s bootleggers. Many people assume 86 refers to the distance to a cemetery or a specific caliber of bullet used by mob hitmen, but these are purely imaginative inventions. In reality, the term likely gained traction through the rapid professionalization of the restaurant industry after the repeal of Prohibition, when standardized kitchen operations became the norm for large-scale dining establishments.
How does the term compare to other mid-20th-century underworld slang?
While underworld slang of the 1930s often relied on rhyming schemes or specific code words to obscure illegal activities, 86 functioned as a dry, utilitarian shorthand. It lacked the colorful, descriptive nature of typical criminal jargon, which often prioritized secrecy over the efficiency required in a busy kitchen.
| Term | Typical Domain | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Restaurant | Inventory status |
| Clam | Criminal | Money |
| Heater | Criminal | Firearm |
| Canister | Criminal | Explosive |
| Grifter | Criminal | Confidence man |
Use these categories to distinguish between terms designed for operational efficiency and those meant to obfuscate criminal intent.
What are the most prominent folk etymologies associated with the origin of this phrase?
Folk etymologies often attempt to link 86 to historical events that sound more dramatic than simple inventory management. One common theory suggests it originated from a specific Delmonico’s menu item, number 86, which was supposedly the last dish available before the kitchen closed. Another popular myth claims it refers to a military regulation or a specific distance from a base where soldiers were prohibited from visiting. These stories persist because they provide a narrative weight that a mundane inventory code lacks.
An important exception to these myths is the lack of any documentary evidence linking 86 to specific menu items at famous restaurants. While it is tempting to believe a legendary chef or a military commander coined the phrase, these stories are almost always post-hoc rationalizations. They reflect a human desire to find a grand origin for a word that actually grew out of the boring, repetitive needs of daily service.
Did the term originate from specific maritime or military codes before entering civilian usage?
No, there is no verified evidence linking 86 to maritime or military codes. While some claim it originated from a 19th-century regulation regarding the distance a soldier could travel, no such document exists in the U.S. Army archives. It remains a civilian invention born from retail and food service.
How has the meaning of the phrase evolved in modern pop culture compared to its historical usage?
Modern pop culture has largely stripped the term of its inventory roots, transforming it into a general synonym for rejection, deletion, or permanent removal.
- Menu items: Used by chefs to signal that a specific dish is sold out or unavailable for the remainder of the service.
- Problem patrons: Employed by security staff to identify an individual who must be ejected from a private venue.
- Bad habits: Adopted in self-help contexts to describe the act of permanently cutting a negative behavior out of one's lifestyle.
- Film characters: Utilized in screenplays to denote the off-screen killing or permanent removal of an unwanted antagonist.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a criminal origin. Many believe the term started as a mob code for murder, but no police or court records from the 1920s support this.
- Confusing eras. People often retroactively apply 86 to the Prohibition era, even though the term only gained widespread usage in the mid-1930s.
- Ignoring industry slang. Treating the term as exclusively criminal overlooks its long-standing function as a standard tool for restaurant inventory management.
Tracing the roots of slang
Focus on documented historical records rather than cinematic myths when researching the origins of common idioms. Relying on primary sources from the 1930s will provide a more accurate view of how this phrase transitioned from a niche kitchen code into the common vernacular.