I still remember the first time I saw someone type “let’s 86 that idea” in a group chat. I stared at the message for a few seconds, completely confused. Was it a code? A number reference? Or maybe something related to a game score?
At first, I had no clue what “86” meant. But then I noticed people using it again in different places restaurant videos, TikTok comments, and casual chats with friends.
Eventually, I learned that “86” is actually a popular slang term with a pretty interesting meaning. Once you know what it stands for, you’ll start noticing it everywhere online.
Quick Answer:
86 means “to cancel, remove, reject, or get rid of something.” It’s a casual slang way of saying something is no longer available or should be stopped.
What Does 86 Mean in Text?
In slang, “86” means to cancel, reject, remove, or throw something out. It’s commonly used when someone wants to stop an idea, remove an item, or cancel plans.
The term originally became popular in restaurant and bar culture, where staff would say an item is “86’d” when it’s no longer available or when they need to remove something from the menu.
Over time, the phrase moved into general conversation and internet slang.
For example:
“let’s 86 that plan and watch a movie instead”
In this sentence, 86 means to cancel or scrap the original plan.
You might also hear it used when someone wants to kick someone out, delete something, or stop doing something entirely.
Example:
“the restaurant 86’d the special tonight”
This means the special item is no longer available.
In short:
86 = Cancel / Remove / Get rid of something.
📱 Where Is 86 Commonly Used?
Here are the most common places you might see it:
📱 Text messages
Friends canceling plans or rejecting ideas.
📸 Instagram comments
People reacting to situations or suggesting something should be removed.
🎥 TikTok videos
Often used in restaurant or service industry content.
💬 Group chats
Friends jokingly canceling plans or ideas.
🍽️ Restaurant and bar slang
Used by staff when something is out of stock.
🎮 Gaming chats
Players suggesting removing something from a strategy.
🐦 Twitter/X posts
People reacting strongly to opinions or trends.
Tone of the Word “86”
Casual: Yes
Social media friendly: Yes
Professional: Rarely
Humorous usage: Often
Because 86 is casual slang, it works best in informal conversations with friends or online communities.
Examples of 86 in Conversation
Example 1
A: should we go to that new cafe tonight
B: nah let’s 86 that and get pizza instead
Example 2
A: the restaurant menu looks amazing
B: yeah but they 86’d the burger today 😩
Example 3
A: i think we should add another level to the game
B: maybe we should 86 that idea for now
Example 4
A: are we still going hiking tomorrow
B: weather looks bad… might have to 86 it
Example 5
A: did you see the new feature on the app
B: yeah they should 86 it honestly
Example 6
A: we’re out of chocolate cake
B: ok 86 it from the menu tonight
Example 7
A: this group chat is getting chaotic
B: we might need to 86 some notifications 😂
🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use 86
✅ When to Use 86
You can use 86 when:
Talking casually with friends
Canceling plans
Rejecting ideas in a relaxed conversation
Chatting on social media
Joking about removing something
Discussing restaurant menu items
Example:
“let’s 86 that plan and stay home tonight”
❌ When Not to Use 86
Avoid using 86 in situations like:
Formal emails
Professional business messages
Academic writing
Official announcements
Serious professional discussions
Instead of saying:
“we should 86 this proposal”
A more professional version would be:
“we should reconsider or remove this proposal.”
Comparison Table
| Context | Example Phrase | Why It Works |
| Friend Chat | “let’s 86 that idea 😄” | Casual and relaxed |
| Group Chat | “weather is bad… 86 the trip” | Quick informal decision |
| Restaurant Staff | “86 the steak tonight” | Industry slang |
| Work Chat | “Let’s cancel this idea.” | Professional wording |
| “Please remove this item from the list.” | Clear and formal |
Similar Slang Words or Alternatives
| Slang | Meaning | When to Use |
| Cancel it | Stop or scrap something | Casual conversation |
| Scrap | Remove or abandon something | Planning discussions |
| Drop it | Stop talking about or doing something | Casual chats |
| Cut it | Remove something | Informal situations |
| Skip | Decide not to do something | Friendly conversations |
| Ditch | Leave or abandon something | Informal slang |
Example:
Instead of saying:
“let’s 86 the plan”
You could say:
“let’s ditch the plan.”
Both have a similar meaning.
FAQs❓
Q. What does 86 mean in slang?
In slang, 86 means to cancel, remove, reject, or get rid of something. It’s commonly used in casual conversations and restaurant culture.
Q. Why do people say 86?
The phrase became popular in restaurant and bar slang, where staff would say an item is “86’d” when it’s no longer available.
Q. Can 86 mean kicking someone out?
Yes. In some contexts, 86 can mean removing or banning someone from a place, such as a bar or restaurant.
Example:
“the bar 86’d him after the argument.”
Q. Is 86 slang formal or informal?
86 is informal slang, so it’s mostly used in casual conversations or industry slang rather than professional communication.
Q. Is 86 still commonly used today?
Yes. While it started in restaurants, 86 is still widely used in texting, social media, and casual conversations.
Q. Can you use 86 in texting?
Absolutely. People often use 86 in text messages or group chats when canceling plans or rejecting ideas.
Example:
“let’s 86 that plan tonight.”
Final Thoughts
The slang term 86 might look confusing at first because it’s just a number, but its meaning is surprisingly simple. In most situations, 86 means to cancel, remove, reject, or get rid of something.
The phrase originally came from restaurant and bar culture, where staff used it to indicate that an item was no longer available. Over time, it spread into everyday conversations and online slang.
Today, you’ll see 86 used in texting, social media comments, group chats, and even casual workplace conversations. It’s a quick way to suggest canceling something or removing an idea.
However, since 86 is informal slang, it’s best used in relaxed conversations rather than professional communication.
So the next time you see someone say “let’s 86 that,” you’ll know they simply mean “let’s cancel or get rid of it.”
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I’m Janet Frame, the author behind slanngmean.com. I’m a slang expert, and I share clear, easy-to-understand meanings and examples for every slang term.
