black cab en · NOUN
Etymology
From the usual black colour of officially licensed hackney carriages and motorized taxis in London, particularly after World War II.
Meanings
-
(informal) An officially licensed taxi in London, now particularly those made by LTI or the London EV Company.
Black cabs may be more expensive than ubers, but their drivers are required to pass the Knowledge.
Sitting in a black cab as it speeds away into the traffic, I check my bag. There, hiding in the bottom corner, I find a hand and body wash with the Caledonian Sleeper logo on it. I hadn't used it.
2023 February 8, Greg Morse, “Crossing the border... by Sleeper”, in RAIL, number 976, page 45:
- (informal) Similarly styled taxis elsewhere, especially officially licensed taxis elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| black cabs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
hackney carriage (officially licensed taxis in the UK)
Translations (2)
pl taksówka londyńska (officially licensed taxi in London) · pl taksówka (similarly styled taxi elsewhere)