Can you shed any light on the origins of the word taxicab?

Answer 1

Actually, there are two word origins to consider--taxi and cab. Taxi comes from the French, taximetre, which became taximeter (tax per meter) in English. The mechanical meter on which to base fares came into usage about the end of the 19th century. Before automobile taxis, however, there were horsedrawn cabs. In the 1800s, the cabriolet was well-known as a lightweight, two-wheeled carriage that could be easily drawn by one horse. Cabriolet is a French derivative of a word for skipping lightness, or capering. France, Italy, and England all had cabriolets for hire in their bigger cities. These cabriolets were nicknamed cabs and their drivers were cabbys.

Erin Go Braugh!

IRiSH

Answer 2

Hi there Enya,
The word taxicab is a shortening of two words that have been combined to give a transportation car its 'nickname.' As follows:
1. Taxi - A taximeter, which is an instrument installed in a car to measure distance travelled and waiting time, and to compute and indicate fare.
2. Cab - a compartment in the front of a motor vehicle where the driver sits.
Simple really, when given the definitions eh? :o)

Answer 3

Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. A taxicab is a vehicle for hire which conveys passengers between locations of their choice. (In most other modes of public transport, the pick-up and drop-off locations are determined by the service provider, not by the passenger.)

Although types of vehicles and methods of regulation, hiring, dispatching, and negotiating payment differ significantly from country to country, some common characteristics exist.

Answer 4

Didn't want to bore you and everyone else with screeds... so I've copied a link for you:

http://www.reference.com/search?q=taxicab

Hope helps!

Answer 5

no