How do you say taxi in the UK?

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In the UK, "taxi" is commonly called a "cab," short for cabriolet. The driver is often referred to as a "cabbie." You can also use the term "taxi" – it's perfectly understood.

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What do Brits call a taxi?

So, what do Brits call a taxi? Cab, obviously. Short for cabriolet, apparently. Learned that in school, somewhere around 2005, in history class, I think.

Makes sense, right? Cabriolet, fancy open-top car. Now, taxis aren’t always open-top… but cab stuck.

And the driver? Cabbie. Simple. Like, I remember my grandad, bless his soul, always called them “cabbies.” He’d use that term every time, back in the eighties, even when hailing one in rainy old Birmingham.

It’s just ingrained. Like, nobody really says “taxi driver” much, do they? Cabbie rolls off the tongue. Easier. That’s my experience, anyway.

Do British say taxi or cab?

Taxi. Cab. Both. Depends where.

  • Taxi: Universal. Safe bet.

  • Cab: Common. Still understood.

  • Tea towel: Never dish towel. Never.

  • Telly: TV’s lazy cousin.

  • Third-party insurance: Bare minimum.

More? Fine. London leans cab. North? Taxi. My mum? Telly, always. Insurance? Gamble at your own risk. Accident? I learned that the hard way. Ouch.

Do they say cab or taxi in London?

So, like, they call ’em cabs in London. Yeah, short for cabriolet or something, right? And what is cabriolet? Never really looked it up.

Then, like, the driver? Oh yeah, they say cabbie, it’s cute, isn’t it? It’s like saying you drive a car.

  • Cab: Common term.
  • Cabbie: Driver.
  • Taxi: Also used.

My aunt Carol, she went to London in 2023. She said even Uber is really common now. It must be a total rip off for the cabbies.

Uber’s everywhere; I take them when I go to see my doctor. I hate waiting for the bus, man.

Is it called a cab or taxi in the UK?

Black cab? Taxi? Hack? Good grief, it’s like choosing a Hogwarts house, so many options! They’re all right, bless their little cotton socks. Though, “remise” sounds like a fancy French cheese, not a ride. Imagine rolling up to a club in a Double Gloucester.

  • Black cab: The classic. Think Sherlock Holmes, but with probably less cocaine.
  • Taxi: Short, sweet, to the point. Like my grandma’s fruitcake. Dense.
  • Hack: Makes me picture a dude with an axe, not ideal transport. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.
  • Hackney carriage: Full name. Bit of a mouthful. Like trying to say “Worcestershire sauce” after a pint.

My mate Barry once tried hailing a “remise.” The driver looked at him like he’d sprouted a second head. True story. This happened last Tuesday, near the Tesco on Finchley Road. Barry always does this. He thinks he’s posh. I told him, mate, you’re from Dagenham, not Downton Abbey. Anyway, these black cabs are everywhere in London. Like pigeons. But fancier. And probably cleaner, depending on the pigeon. Think of them as the Rolls Royce of public transport. Except, you know, less Rolls Royce and more… Toyota Camry. Still classy though. My nan loves them. She takes one every Tuesday to bingo night. Wins every time. Says it’s the lucky cab.

What is the slang for taxi in the UK?

Black cab. So predictable, innit?

  • Black cab: London’s iconic taxi. Not just slang.

  • Hackney carriage: The formal term. Bet you didn’t know that.

  • Taxi: Generic, of course.

  • “Cab”: Short, sweet, universally understood. Like my patience.

Think about it. London’s not a place, is it? It’s a feeling. One you pay dearly for. Every fare’s a tiny piece of that feeling extracted. Even I feel. Sometimes.

Additional information:

  • Licensing is strict: The Knowledge, it’s called. Years to learn.

  • Fares aren’t cheap: But they’re regulated. Surprisingly.

  • They’re also accessible: Designed for all.

  • And yeah, some are now electric: Progress, or something. 2024, I guess, requires some compliance.

What is slang for London taxi?

Black. Shining. Slick. A whale in the city sea. Cab. Just… cab. Hackney carriage. Formal. Stiff. Not the word that whispers on the wind. Black cab. Yes. Swallowing the London rain. A memory of leather and ticking meter. The hum of the city… Cabbie. A nod, a wink. Knows the secrets of the backstreets. Weaving through. Time stretches, bends. Not a minicab. Never that. Different. A pretender. The black cab. London. Breathing.

  • Black cab: Most common slang
  • Cab: Short, simple. Used often.
  • Cabbie: Refers to the driver.
  • Hackney carriage: Official. Less common slang.
  • Minicab: Not a black cab. Pre-booked. Separate service. My dad always took a black cab from Paddington Station to his office near St. Paul’s. Remember the smell. The damp wool of his coat. The click of the door. 2023. Still see them. Still a symbol. London.

What is a London taxi called?

Black cab. Slipping through London rain. A blur of grey. Hackney carriage. Echoes of Victorian lamps. Gaslight on cobblestones. Horse-drawn shadows. Now, the growl of the engine. A pulse in the city’s veins. Black. Glossy. Reflecting the neon shimmer. A space, a pocket of time. Leather and warmth. The driver, a stoic guide. Through the labyrinthine streets. London. Breathing. A hackney carriage. Timeless. Moving. A black cab. A London icon.

  • Black cab: The most common term.
  • Hackney carriage: The official name. Formal. A history whispering from the word.
  • Cab: Simple. Direct. Universal.
  • Hack: Shorter. A clipped syllable.
  • Taxi: Understood everywhere.

The black cabs. They hold stories. Of hurried journeys and whispered secrets. Of late nights and early mornings. They are more than just vehicles. They’re a part of London’s soul. They’re witnesses to its ever-changing story. Always moving.

What do Londoners call taxis?

Ah, London taxis. Formally, they’re “hackney carriages,” because, why not sound like you’re ordering a horse-drawn carriage in 1785? But, and this is crucial, Londoners? Black cabs is the term, darling.

It’s all black cabs, all the time. Unless you’re feeling particularly arch and want to say “hack,” which, honestly, feels like you’re about to cough up a hairball.

Think of “hackney carriage” as the taxi’s Sunday best, reserved for official documents and maybe impressing your grandmother. Black cabs? That’s everyday London.

Why? Because let’s be real, “hackney carriage” is just begging to be shortened and misspeled. You’d end up with “Hacky Carnage” which, while potentially descriptive of some late-night rides, isn’t exactly accurate. Black cabs rule, you see.

The Anatomy of a London Black Cab, or Why It’s Basically a Time Machine in Disguise:

  • Turning Radius: Smaller than your average existential crisis. They’re designed to navigate those insane London streets.
  • Driver Knowledge: Allegedly, these people know every street. It’s a terrifying thought.
  • Spaciousness: Somehow fits more luggage than my last relationship.
  • Color: Black, naturally. Unless you’re a rebel. Then it’s probably got advertising slapped all over it, the poor thing.
  • Fare: Let’s just say, your wallet will feel it. But hey, it’s an experience, right? (I tell myself).
#Cabuk #Taxiuk #Uktaxi