Where Did The Term 86 Them Come From?
The origin of the term “86 them” is unclear, but there are several theories. It may have originated from the code used in restaurants and bars to indicate that a particular item was out of stock, which was 8Over time, this code may have been extended to mean “get rid of” or “throw out.” Another theory suggests that it comes from the 1800s phrase “eighty-six the casket,” which meant throwing the coffin out of a window during a funeral if the family could not afford a burial. Regardless of its origin, the term has become a common slang phrase used to mean “get rid of” or “remove.”