What Does 86 Mean in Slang? Meaning & Origin

In slang, 86 means to get rid of something or someone. It is best known from American restaurants and bars, where “86” means an item is sold out or a customer is refused service. People now use it to mean cancel, reject, throw out, or ban. Rarely, and only by context, it is used to mean kill.

Key Takeaways

• Core meaning: To eighty-six something is to remove, cancel, reject, or refuse it.
• Restaurant roots: In kitchens, “86” often means an item is out of stock.
• Origin: The exact origin is unclear. It was in American use by the 1930s.
• Modern twist: Some people use “86” to mean “kill,” but major dictionaries treat that as rare and recent.
• Tone: Usually casual and neutral. It turns harsh when aimed at a person.
• Context rules: Always read the situation before deciding what it means.

You might have heard “86” in a restaurant, seen it in a movie, or read it in a news headline. Each time, it can feel like a different word. So what does 86 mean in slang? The short version: it means to get rid of something.

People search this term for a few reasons. Some work in food service and hear it every shift. Some saw it in a text or caption and felt lost. Others landed here after news stories in 2025 and 2026 made the number famous, and they want a calm, factual answer.

This guide covers all of it. You will learn the plain meaning, the restaurant sense, the theories about where it came from, and the “kill” sense that dictionaries treat carefully. You will also get real-world examples, tone tips, and answers to common questions.

Is it still used today? Yes. It is old slang, but it never went away. Cooks, bartenders, and servers still use it daily. Online, people use it more loosely to mean “cancel,” “ban,” or “I’m done with that.” We stick to what is documented and say so when something is unclear.

What Does 86 Mean in Slang?

Eighty-six means to throw out, get rid of, or refuse service to. Merriam-Webster lists these senses.

Here are the main meanings you will meet:

• Sold out: “We’re 86 on salmon.”
• Remove or cancel: “Let’s 86 that plan.”
• Ban or eject a person: “The bar 86’d him.”
• Kill (rare, disputed): Appears in some jokes, fiction, and heated online talk.

The word works as a verb (“to 86 something”) and sometimes as a statement (“Salmon is 86”).

Quick Meaning Box

Meaning	Simple Explanation
Sold out	An item is no longer available
Cancel or remove	Drop an idea, item, or plan
Refuse service	Tell someone they are not welcome
Throw out	Eject a person or discard a thing
Kill (rare)	Disputed, recent sense; context is everything

Pronunciation

Say it “AY-tee SIX” (/ˈeɪ.ti sɪks/). People write it “86,” “eighty-six,” or “eighty-sixed.” In speech, you almost always hear “eighty-six.”

Where Does 86 Come From?

The exact origin is unclear. Dictionaries trace the slang to American use in the 1930s, but no one has proven who said it first.

Several stories try to explain it. None is confirmed:

• Rhyme with “nix.” “Eighty-six” sounds like “nix,” which means to cancel or reject. This is a popular and sensible guess.
• Chumley’s bar. A famous New York bar sits at 86 Bedford Street. Some say patrons were “86’d” out its door. Evidence is thin.
• A menu code. Some say a restaurant or soda fountain used “86” as a code for “out of stock.” No solid record settles it.

Treat any single “true origin” story with caution. The honest answer is that language historians do not know.

History of the Term

The word seems to have grown up in American food and drink culture. By the 1930s, it appeared in print and in speech, mostly in diners, soda fountains, and bars. Its early meaning leaned toward “we are out of this” or “we won’t serve that.”

Over the decades, the sense stretched. Ejecting a customer became “86ing” him. Then people used it for scrapping plans or dropping things they no longer wanted. Because it is short and punchy, it spread outside kitchens and into everyday talk.

In recent years, 86 has had a political moment. People began pairing it with the number of a president, as in “86 45” or “86 47,” as a way to say “get rid of this person’s presidency.” We explain that below. The “kill” sense is newer still, and dictionaries say it is sparse.

How People Use It Today

In restaurants, bars, and cafes, 86 is still standard shop talk. Online, usage is looser:

• Texting: “86 that idea” means drop it.
• Social media (Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads, Facebook): Used for cancelling, banning, or rejecting something.
• Reddit and Discord: Moderators sometimes use it jokingly for banning a user or deleting a post.
• Politics: Appears in slogans, signs, and posts, which we cover below.

We do not claim any platform invented it. It simply travels well because it is short.

What Does 86 Mean in a Restaurant?

In a restaurant, 86 means an item is out of stock or no longer available. A cook calls it out so servers stop selling it.

For example, a chef might shout, “86 the halibut!” Now servers know to tell guests it is gone. The call can also mean a dish was dropped from the menu. It keeps service smooth and avoids awkward moments at the table.

It can also apply to people. A manager may say a rowdy guest was 86’d, meaning they were asked to leave or banned from returning.

What Does 86 Mean in Police Code?

There is no widely recognized, universal police meaning for 86. Police radio codes (like “10-codes”) differ by agency and region.

Some local departments may assign their own meaning to a number like 86, but we found no standard national definition. If you saw “86” in a police context, check that agency’s code list. In everyday slang, “86” almost always means to get rid of something, not a police signal.

Does 86 Mean Kill?

Sometimes people use it that way, but it is not the standard meaning. Merriam-Webster notes that “to kill” is a recent, sparsely used sense and does not list it as a main entry sense.

That sense is a stretch of “get rid of.” It shows up in some fiction, jokes, and online arguments. Because it is rare, you cannot assume it. A bartender saying “86 him” means “throw him out,” not harm him.

When someone uses it near a person’s name, read the whole message. Who said it, where, and why all matter more than the number.

What Does 86 Mean in the Military?

There is no single official military meaning for 86. We found no standard, documented definition across the armed forces.

In casual speech, service members may use it the everyday way: to scrap or remove something. Numbers also show up in unit names, equipment, and radio codes that vary by branch and unit. One famous “86” in aviation history is the F-86 Sabre, a U.S. jet fighter. That is a model name, not slang.

What Does 86 Mean in Mob Slang?

Pop culture often links “86” to gangsters, but there is no solid evidence it began in organized crime. In films and shows, “86 him” can sound like a death order.

The real-world record does not back that up as the origin. The term’s best-documented roots are in food and drink service. Crime stories likely helped the “kill” idea spread by borrowing the word and giving it a darker tone. Treat movie usage as fiction, not proof.

What Does 86 47 Mean?

“86 47” combines “86” (get rid of) with “47,” a reference to the 47th U.S. president, Donald Trump. What the pairing means depends on who uses it and how.

Some people use it as a protest slogan meaning “end this presidency” or “vote this administration out.” Others, including federal officials, have read it as a call for violence. Merriam-Webster says “86” means to throw out or get rid of, and that the “kill” sense is recent and rare.

The number drew national attention in May 2025, when former FBI Director James Comey posted a photo of seashells on a beach arranged as “86 47,” captioned “Cool shell formation on my beach walk.” 

He deleted it and said he had not realized some people associate the numbers with violence and that he opposes violence. Officials, including the Homeland Security secretary, said it was under investigation, and critics and supporters have argued over what it meant.

In April 2026, a federal grand jury in North Carolina indicted Comey over the post, according to multiple news outlets. His lawyer said he “vigorously denies” the charges. 

Legal experts and commentators have said the case raises First Amendment questions. We report this only as news. Court cases change, so check a current, reliable news source for the latest.

The pattern is not new. In 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drew criticism for a small “86 45” figurine seen behind her during a TV interview, and similar “86 46” posts appeared online during Joe Biden’s presidency, according to ABC News.

What Does 86’d Mean in Slang?

“86’d” (also “86ed” or “eighty-sixed”) is the past tense: something was removed, cancelled, or refused. It is the same word with a verb ending.

Examples: “The special got 86’d at 8 p.m.” or “He was 86’d from the club for fighting.” The apostrophe is common in casual writing, but you will also see “86ed.” Both are understood.

What Does 86 Someone Mean in Slang?

To 86 someone usually means to ban or remove them from a place or group. It can also mean to cut them out of your plans.

A bar owner might 86 a customer who starts fights. A group chat admin might 86 a spammer. In casual talk, “I’m 86ing him from my life” means you are done with that person. The tone is firm and a bit dramatic. It rarely means anything physical on its own.

What Does 86 Mean in Slang Urban Dictionary?

Urban Dictionary mostly repeats the common meanings: sold out, thrown out, cancelled. It is a crowd-written site, so anyone can submit a definition.

That means entries can be funny, edgy, or wrong. Use it to see how everyday people describe a word, not as a final authority. For a reliable definition, compare it with a dictionary such as Merriam-Webster or Oxford. If the two disagree, trust the dictionary.

What Does 86 Mean in Slang Reddit?

On Reddit, “86” appears in threads about restaurant life, word origins, and politics. It is mostly used with the standard meaning: remove or ban.

Reddit is a place where people trade etymology theories, and many of those theories are unproven. Read them as discussion, not fact. Moderators and users may also joke about “86ing” a post or user. As always, the surrounding thread tells you which meaning is in play.

Examples in Everyday Conversation

• “Do you have the soup?” “Sorry, we 86’d it an hour ago.”
• “Why is Dave not here?” “The owner 86’d him after the fight.”
• “The plan’s too risky.” “Okay, let’s 86 it.”
• “Is the pasta still on?” “Chef just said 86 on the pasta.”
• “I’m sick of this couch.” “Then 86 it and buy a new one.”
• “We’re out of lemons.” “86 the lemonade, then.”
• “Did Maya come to the meeting?” “No, her idea got 86’d last week.”
• “Can I bring my dog?” “The cafe 86’d pets in the dining room.”
• “Kyle keeps cheating at trivia.” “Time to 86 him from the team.”
• “Any dessert left?” “Cheesecake is 86. Try the brownie.”

Text Message Examples

• “Heads up, they 86’d the happy hour.”
• “86 the Friday plan, I’m wiped.”
• “Kitchen’s 86 on fries lol”
• “Just 86’d that group chat.”
• “Can you 86 the onions on mine?”
• “The bar 86’d him. Wild night.”
• “We 86’d the surprise, she found out.”
• “Gonna 86 these old photos from my phone.”
• “Venue 86’d outside food, sorry!”
• “Let’s 86 the drama and move on.”

Social Media Caption Examples

• Instagram: “86 the Monday blues. Coffee first.”
• Instagram: “Chef called 86 on the specials. Pizza night it is.”
• TikTok: “POV: the kitchen just 86’d your favorite dish.”
• TikTok: “Things I’m 86ing before the new year.”
• X: “Time to 86 this bad habit.”
• X: “They 86’d the sequel. Honestly fair.”
• Threads: “What’s one thing you’d 86 from your morning routine?”
• Threads: “86 the clutter, keep the joy.”
• Facebook: “Our cafe is 86 on blueberry muffins today. Come early tomorrow!”
• Facebook: “Spring cleaning: 86 everything I haven’t used in a year.”

Is It Positive or Negative?

It is neutral for objects and negative for people. Saying “86 the fries” is just logistics. Saying “86 that guy” sounds harsh.

It is friendly when used lightly about habits, plans, or menu items. It sounds rude or threatening when aimed at a person, especially in a tense or political context. 

Because of the rare “kill” sense, others may misread you. If your meaning could be taken the wrong way, choose a clearer word like “cancel,” “remove,” or “ban.”

Who Uses This Slang?

Food and drink workers use it most: cooks, servers, and bartenders. Adults of many ages know it. Teens and young adults pick it up from restaurant jobs, shows, and social media. It has also entered political talk and online slogans.

It is not tied to one region, though it is strongly American. Gamers and online communities may use it casually to mean “cut” or “ban,” but we have no evidence it began in any gaming or internet culture.

Similar Slang Words

Slang	Meaning
Nix	Cancel or reject
Ditch	Get rid of or abandon
Scrap	Throw away or drop a plan
Axe	Remove or cut
Boot	Kick someone out
Ban	Officially forbid
Cancel	Stop an event, plan, or person’s platform

Opposite Words

• Keep: Hold onto something instead of dropping it.
• Welcome: Invite someone in rather than turning them away.
• Stock: Have an item ready, the reverse of “sold out.”
• Greenlight: Approve a plan instead of cancelling it.
• Add: Put something on the menu or list.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming it always means kill. Most of the time it does not.
• Mixing it up with other “86s.” Toyota’s 86 car, the F-86 Sabre jet, and the 1960s TV spy “Agent 86” (Maxwell Smart in Get Smart) have nothing to do with the slang.
• Using it as a noun for a person. “He is an 86” is not standard.
• Wrong spelling. “Eighty six” without a hyphen or “86ed” are fine in casual use, but “eighty-six” is the cleaner dictionary spelling.
• Believing one origin story as fact. The origin is unproven.

When NOT to Use It

• Professional emails: It may sound too casual or confuse readers. Use “cancel” or “remove.”
• School writing: Teachers may expect standard wording.
• Formal business documents: Clear language avoids misunderstandings.
• Near sensitive topics: Pairing “86” with a person’s name or title can be read as a threat, even as a joke. Avoid it online.
• With people who may not know it: Explain it or pick another word.

Fun Facts

• Merriam-Webster defines 86 as to throw out, get rid of, or refuse service to.
• The same dictionary says the “kill” sense is recent and sparsely used.
• The exact origin is unclear, though the slang was in American use by the 1930s.
• Chumley’s, a bar at 86 Bedford Street in New York, is often linked to the phrase, but the link is unproven.
• The F-86 Sabre was a U.S. jet fighter and has no tie to the slang.
• Maxwell Smart was “Agent 86” in the TV comedy Get Smart.
• “86 45” and “86 46” appeared before “86 47,” according to ABC News reports.
• The word works as a verb, adjective-like statement, and past tense (“86’d”).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 86 mean gangster?

In gangster movies, “86 him” can sound like a death order. In real life, that is mostly a pop-culture idea, not a proven gangster code. 

The word’s documented meaning is to remove or refuse. The danger is tone: if a real person says it about a real person, others may take it as a threat even if they meant “cut him off.” When in doubt, ask what the speaker means. 

Never assume violence from the number alone, and avoid using it that way yourself, even as a joke.

Why is it called 86ing?

It is called 86ing because English lets us turn almost any word into a verb by adding “-ing.” So “86” becomes “86ing,” “86ed,” or “86’d.” 

That is why you can say, “We’re 86ing the special” or “He got 86’d.” The number works like “nix” or “axe” did before it. 

Why the number 86 was chosen in the first place remains unclear. The exact origin is unknown, so the “-ing” form simply follows how people use the word.

What does 86 mean in the military?

There is no official, universal military meaning. If a service member says “86,” they most likely mean the everyday slang sense: scrap or remove it. 

Unit codes and radio signals vary, so check the unit’s own guide for anything official. A common mix-up is the F-86 Sabre, a jet fighter. 

That is an aircraft name, not slang. If you find “86” in a military document, read the surrounding text before assuming it means “get rid of.”

What does it mean to “86” someone?

It means to remove someone from a place, group, or plan. A bar might ban a customer, or a friend group might cut someone out. 

For a gentler approach, you can say “I’m stepping back from that friendship” or “we need to part ways.” Those phrases carry the same idea without sounding harsh. 

Use “86” for people only when the setting is casual and everyone understands you mean exclusion, not harm.

What does 86 mean politically?

Politically, “86” paired with a number like 45, 46, or 47 is a shorthand for ending a presidency or removing someone from office. 

Supporters often frame it as a protest slogan. Critics have read it as a threat, and a federal case in 2026 over an “86 47” post put the phrase in court. Courts and commentators are still debating where free speech ends. 

Because the meaning is contested, check a current news source and consider your audience before using it.

What does 86 someone mean in Urban Dictionary?

Urban Dictionary entries for “86 someone” generally match the common sense: to kick someone out or refuse them. 

But because anyone can post, some entries are jokes or exaggerations. Use the site to see how people talk, then confirm with a standard dictionary such as Merriam-Webster. 

If an Urban Dictionary entry claims a secret or violent meaning with no source, treat that claim with doubt.

Final Thoughts

Eighty-six is one of those words that quietly does a lot. It began in diners and bars and still works there today: the dish is gone, the guest is out, the plan is dead. That plain, practical meaning is the one to start with.

The edgier senses need more care. The “kill” idea is rare, and dictionaries say so. The political use is loud and disputed. 

The safest habit is simple: read the context, check who is speaking, and pick clearer words when a mix-up could cause trouble.

Now you know the meaning, the theories behind it, and how to spot the difference between a kitchen call and a heated headline. 

Use it with confidence in casual talk, skip it in formal writing, and keep an eye on current news if you want the latest on any legal fights around it. Bookmark this page for the next time a mystery number pops up in your feed.