2 ms·

I thought ‘86’ in this sense was rhyming slang for ‘nix’ (ie. ‘nullify’ / ‘negate’)?

• Henchman21 1y ago
  I thought the term came from a speakeasy in Manhattan that had an exit on 86th street. So when ejecting a patron who'd become too drunk & disorderly, they'd "86 'em!", which roughly meant pushing them out the exit onto 86th street. I've heard this particular tale from multiple bartenders in Manhattan. I've always questioned its veracity, as it feels a bit too good to be true!