eighty-six

or 86

[ ey-tee-siks ]

noun

1. a cardinal number, 80 plus 6.
2. a symbol for this number, as 86 or LXXXVI.
3. a set of this many persons or things.
4. Slang. a customer considered undesirable or unwelcome and refused service at a bar or restaurant.

adjective

1. amounting to 86 in number.
2. Slang. sold out; out of stock.

verb (used with object)

, Slang.

1. to refuse to serve (an undesirable or unwelcome customer) at a bar or restaurant.
2. to reject; discard.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eighty-six¹

First recorded in 1930–35, as slang term in bars and restaurants; sense “refuse” perhaps as rhyming slang for nix ¹

Example Sentences

I tell myself not to feel bad because my life expectancy is eighty-six, which means I have nineteen more years of life.

From The Daily Beast

Eighty-six percent of them had been catcalled on the street, and 36 percent said it happened daily.

From The Daily Beast

Eighty-six percent of stocks in the "Sold in the USA" portfolio offer juicy dividends, yielding on average 2.7 percent.

From The Daily Beast

Eighty-six people are dying each day from gun violence including eight children; and 3,000 people since Newtown.

From The Daily Beast

Eighty-six of the escapees were serving federal sentences or were awaiting trial for federal offences.

From The Daily Beast

He was, however, only supported by eleven members, while eighty-six voted for the resolution.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time the resolutions were carried by a majority of eighty-six against fifty-two.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time the clause for twelve hours was rejected by one hundred and eighty-six against one hundred and eighty-three.

From Project Gutenberg

The tracery (Decorated) is composed of eighty-six pieces struck from 263 centres.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1872 the price of steel was one hundred and eighty-six dollars per gross ton.

From Project Gutenberg