The Curious Case of '86': A Term's Unlikely Evolution

In my misspent youth, I once worked a summer job as a waiter at Shoney's. It is an experience that I do not recommend. But it did teach me two valuable things: 1) How not to drown in a puddle of my own embarrassment when marching around the dining room with my fellow servers and singing a birthday song that began, "Happy, happy birthday, we're so glad you came"; and 2) That when the surly line cooks ran out of chicken fried steak, they would shout "86 the chicken fried steak!" through the pass.

To "86" something, in restaurant slang, is to say that it is out, finished, gone, through, not on the menu anymore. This is the only sense in which I have heard the term used in my entire life. But according to Wikipedia, which naturally has an entry about the term, two further meanings do exist.

"86" can also be applied to people a restaurant refuses to serve, and some slang dictionaries say it can refer to murder. The term's expansion beyond the kitchen has piqued my interest, and I wonder if there are more instances of "86" being used in different contexts. For now, I will stick to what I know: when the line cooks at Shoney's shouted "86 the chicken fried steak," I knew it was time to inform customers that their favorite dish was no longer available.

The evolution of language is fascinating, and "86" is a prime example of how words can take on new meanings over time. Whether it's used in a restaurant or beyond, the term's versatility is undeniable. As I reflect on my time at Shoney's, I'm reminded that even the most mundane experiences can offer valuable lessons and unexpected insights into the world of language.