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to 86
01
to cancel a customer's order
Slang
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
86
3rd person singular
86s
Present participle
86ing
Past simple
86ed
Past participle
86ed
What does "to 86" mean in restaurant slang?
The structure is a simple verb formed from the number 86, whose exact origin is debated but likely comes from old restaurant or bar codes. It is used to describe canceling a customer's order, removing an item from the menu because it's sold out, or refusing service to a difficult patron. People typically say "86 the salmon" when the kitchen runs out, or "86 that guy at the bar" when a customer is cut off.
Examples
Can you 86 the burger order?
02
to take an item off the menu temporarily
Slang
Examples
86 the crab cakes — they're out of stock.
