Do they say cab or taxi in London?

Is it a cab or taxi in London?

London’s iconic for-hire vehicle is definitively a hackney carriage, though “cab” or “taxi” are, like, totally acceptable. A “remise” was, historically, the fancier version.

Think of black cabs—or just cabs—as more than transport. They’re seriously a cultural artifact. Did you know the cabbies, for example, are required to master “The Knowledge”?

• The Knowledge: Seriously, this is insane. London cab drivers memorize every single freakin’ street.
• Origins: The term “hackney” dates back to the, hmm, 17th century? Horses, carts, the whole shebang.
• Black: Most are black, but you do spot colorful advertising wraps. It’s a bit jarring to the aesthetic, imo.

They have changed a lot, tbh. Electric cabs and updated models are now fairly common. I saw one the other day with a flower mural. Now, that was cool.

Is it called a cab or taxi in the UK?

Right, cab or taxi in the UK? Depends if you’re feeling fancy!

• Hackney carriage is the proper term. Sounds like something from a Jane Austen novel, doesn’t it? Hackneyed phrase too, perhaps?

• Black cab is London’s superstar taxi. Think Beatles, but… boxier.

• Cab? Taxi? Both work. But shouting “Hackney!” at 3 AM… guaranteed stares.

• A “remise” was a posh hackney. Imagine a taxi wearing a top hat. Ridiculous!

• Seriously, calling it a hackney carriage adds flair. Like ordering a “digestive biscuit” instead of… well, a biscuit.

Also, about those black cabs. They need to pass this crazy hard test, The Knowledge. My postman couldn’t even pass it and he remembers everyone’s birthday! It’s like a superhuman navigation system, only in human form and in a taxi.

What do they call taxi in London?

London calls them black cabs. Hail one. Yellow light? Free.

• Book it. App, phone, web.
• Street’s the game? Go for it.

Beyond the Hype:

• Electric Future: Black cabs are going green; electrification is the norm now. My neighbour, owns a charging station.
• Knowledge: Drivers still master “The Knowledge,” insane memorisation of London streets. It takes years.
• Accessibility: Cabs are wheelchair accessible, by design.
• Fares: Metered, regulated. Expect premium pricing. No cheap tricks.
• Beyond Black: Colour wraps are becoming more common. It’s advertising.

What do they call taxi in London?

Ah, London taxis. They’re predominantly referred to as black cabs, though their color palette can be surprisingly diverse these days.

• These iconic vehicles can be pre-booked, a practical move in the bustling city. Think apps, websites, or even a good old-fashioned phone call.
• The quintessential London experience? Hailing one directly from the street. Spot that illuminated yellow light; that’s your signal. It’s truly a dance of urban efficiency, I tell ya!
• It’s fascinating how something so commonplace can become a symbol of a city’s identity; a rolling monument, if you will. I once spent like 3 hours in a cab discussing philosophy with a driver.

Additional Points:

• Fun fact: Black cab drivers, they’re required to know “The Knowledge,” a ridiculously comprehensive mental map of London streets. It’s a legendary feat. I almost tried to memorise it once. Almost.
• Consider minicabs; they’re different! Book only. You can’t hail them.
• Uber and other ride-sharing services are widely used, adding another layer of complexity to London’s transport landscape.

What is the slang word for taxi in London?

London’s taxis? Darling, they’re cabs. Simple as that. Unless you’re talking to someone who thinks a horse-drawn carriage is peak public transport – then maybe hackney carriage will impress. Though, honestly, that sounds more like something from a Jane Austen novel than a rush-hour nightmare.

Key takeaway: Cab. It’s not rocket science.

• Origin Story: The word “cab” is, surprisingly, French. Cabriolet. Fancy, huh? Like a tiny, fancy car from a time before Ubers existed. Before my time, for sure.
• Modern usage: Everyone uses “cab.” Even my grandma, bless her cotton socks, uses it. She’s not exactly tech-savvy. But even she knows to hail a cab, not a “hackney carriage”.

Seriously though, “hackney carriage” sounds like a Victorian euphemism for something far more scandalous than a taxi ride. Much more thrilling. Makes me want to write a historical fiction novel about it. Maybe someday.

The term feels as antiquated as my great-aunt Mildred’s knitting needles. Think of it like this: calling a London taxi a “hackney carriage” is like referring to a smartphone as a “pocket-sized telephone telegraph.” It’s technically correct, but utterly ridiculous.

What do Londoners call taxis?

Londoners call ’em cabs, duh. Or black cabs. Like, it’s not rocket science. Officially, they’re hackney carriages – sounds like something a stuffy Victorian would say, right? Think of them as the city’s four-wheeled dinosaurs, lumbering but undeniably iconic. They’re as much a part of London as Big Ben and that really stinky fish market.

Key things about these rolling relics:

• They’re black. Mostly. Sometimes you see a rogue blue one, it’s like finding a unicorn.
• They’re expensive. Prepare to mortgage your kidneys.
• The drivers? Knowledgeable. They’re like walking, talking encyclopedias of London streets. Unless they’re grumpy, then they’re just grumpy encyclopedias.
• Finding one is a sport. Especially on Friday nights. It’s a real-life game of Where’s Waldo, but with more traffic and existential dread.

My uncle Barry, bless his cotton socks, once got stuck in a black cab for three hours because the driver was giving a lecture on the history of the British Empire. True story. The traffic jam was shorter than the lecture.

Seriously though, my friend Sarah used one last week to get to Heathrow airport. Cost her a fortune. She’s still crying about it, and she’s considering selling a kidney. Next time she’s taking the tube, even if it means riding with sweaty armpits. The tube is like the wild west, but at least it’s cheap. And fast. Sort of.

What is a London taxi called?

Hackney. Or is it hackney carriage? Cabs, I know that. Black cabs! Classic. Ugh, feels like I saw one just yesterday near the British Museum. Wonder how much that cost those tourists. Did Gran ever take a black cab? She’d probably just walk.

• Cab
• Taxi
• Black cab
• Hack

Remise? What even is that? Okay, okay, just looked it up – a fancier hackney. Like, VIP taxi. Bet they had plush seats. Seriously, who even says “remise” now? Not me.

• Remise: High-class hackney.
• Now: Unused Term.

Saw a yellow cab in a movie. New York, obviously. Do they even have yellow cabs here? Nope. Black cabs are iconic. A total London thing. Wonder if they’re all electric now. Should be.

• London: Black Cabs
• NYC: Yellow Cabs

It’s called a hack, too. Wait, hack? Like computer hack? Confusing. “Oi, need a hack to Paddington!” Haha, no. Never saying that.

• Paddington Station.
• Black cabs are a symbol.
• London taxis called hack.

What are London taxis called?

Hackney carriage. Or just hackney. Huh, black cab too, right? Always see them near Waterloo. Cabs. Taxis. Easy.

• Hackney carriage.
• Hackney.
• Cab.
• Black cab.
• Taxi.

Remise? Now that’s a new one! Fancy hackney, huh? Never heard anyone say that in 2024 though. Oh well.

What is an iconic London taxi called?

Okay, so like, the super iconic London taxi? Everyone knows it’s a hackney, or a hackney carriage. Right? They also call ’em cabs, black cabs… just “hacks” even. So many names!

It’s definately a big symbol of London, y’know, like red phone booths or rainy days, or even seeing the queue at Pret a Manger. Can’t miss those taxis.

And back in the day, a fancy, really ritzy hackney was called a remise. Like, if you wanted a really nice one, you asked for a remise.

Here’s some more stuff I kinda remember.

• Origin: It started way back when it was horse-drawn carriages, I believe it.
• The Knowledge: The drivers have to like, memorise every single street in London. Crazy!
• Black Cabs: They are usually black, but you see colored ones now too – it’s a sign of the times.
• Accessibility: Super important, I saw one with a lift and it helped a lady get into one, so helpful.

Oh, and that “hackney” name? I think it came from Hackney, the neighborhood I went to once, when I looked for a vintage shop. Funny how things connect, innit?

What is the British slang word for taxi?

Black cab. End of story.

• Black cab: Iconic. Ubiquitous. Unmistakable.
• Cab: Common, but less… distinctive.
• Cabbie: Only refers to the driver. Not the vehicle, dummy.

Black cabs. They know I take ’em daily. Baker Street? Easy.