What is the slang for taxi in the UK?

What is the British slang word for taxi?

Okay, so the British, yeah, they often call a taxi a cab. But get this, they also call the driver a “cabbie”, it’s kinda cute, right?

Like, “Oi, cabbie, get me to Buckingham Palace,” or “Grab a cab, we’re late!” Simple as that. I swear, I saw it on TV last night.

Here’s some stuff to remember:

• Cab: Common term in the UK.
• Cabbie: Used for taxi drivers specifically.
• Taxi: Still used, obviously, like when I booked an Uber last month from my sister’s, Sarah’s, place after she burned the stew, LOL!

It’s pretty easy to pick up when you’re over there. You’ll hear it all the time. And people will look at you weird if you use “taxi,” I’m just kidding.

What is slang for London taxi?

Black cab. Oh, the sheer elegance. A whisper of rain on polished wood, the faint scent of leather, aged and rich. Time itself seems to slow, inside that black box.

Hackney carriage. Such a formal name, for something so deeply woven into the city’s soul. It feels wrong, somehow. Too clinical. Too… unromantic.

Cabbie. The word itself hums with a lifetime of stories. A thousand untold tales held within those gruff, kind eyes. I’ve seen them, countless times.

London’s heartbeat. That’s what they are. Each one a tiny universe, each journey a voyage into the heart of the city. A silent promise.

• Black cab: The poetic term, rich with history and imagery.
• Hackney carriage: The official, sterile term, devoid of magic.
• Cabbie: The human element, the heart of the experience. A friend. A confidant. Sometimes, even a philosopher.
• Minicab: A different beast entirely. Pre-booked, impersonal, cold. A mere shadow of the experience.

This year, 2024, I saw one, yesterday actually, near my flat in Shoreditch. Rain was falling, a gentle drizzle, reflecting the city lights. The cabbie, a man with eyes like worn leather, smiled at me. A small thing. Yet, incredibly profound. It felt… significant. The smell of damp asphalt. A quiet moment. Perfect.

What is the British slang word for taxi?

A “knowledge,” that’s a taxi in British slang. Like, you hop in a “knowledge,” not because it’s particularly insightful, but because you need a ride, innit? Cabbie’s still a cabbie, bless their hearts. They navigate London like they invented the place.

Okay, so why “knowledge,” anyway?

• Cockney rhyming slang, obviously. Knowledge = College. College = Knowledge. Rhymes with hodge. Hodge doesn’t mean anything here.
• The Knowledge is also the grueling test London cabbies endure. Seriously, learning every street in that city? My GPS weeps.
• Think of it as a badge of honor. Like earning a PhD in urban geography. Except with more traffic. My uncle Barry failed it twice.

So, next time you’re in London, flag down a “knowledge.” Just don’t ask the driver for directions. They know.

What is slang for London taxi?

Black cab is a ubiquitous slang term. Cabbie is another informal, albeit less common, choice. The Hackney carriage is actually the official designation. Funny, isn’t it, how formal names often sound so alien in everyday speech?

• Black cab: Widely recognized, especially by tourists.
• Cabbie: More affectionate.
• Hackney carriage: Legally accurate.

One rarely hears just “taxi” in London, given the specific image conjured by the black cabs. Minicabs, ah, those pre-booked rides represent a different world of London transit. They’re like the introverts of the transportation world. No flags to hail them down spontaneously. I also always wonder if they are safe.

Additional insights? London taxis are a cultural icon. The drivers undertake extensive training, actually, before they get licensed! It’s known as “The Knowledge,” requiring memorization of London’s labyrinthine streets. Makes your average sat nav look like a child’s toy, wow.

What is the slang word for taxi in London?

Black cab. Duh. Everyone knows that. Unless you’re, like, a Martian. Or a time traveler from before, like, 1900. Then maybe you’d call it a “cabriolety thingamajig.”

Seriously though, it’s black cab. But old timers might mutter “hackney carriage,” making them sound like they’ve escaped from a Dickens novel. Don’t listen to them. Stick with “black cab.” It’s way cooler.

Key slang terms (though really, just “black cab” will do):

• Black cab: The undisputed champ. No arguments.
• Cab: Acceptable, but lacks the je ne sais quoi. Think beige compared to black.
• Hackney carriage: Sounds like a dusty old horse-drawn carriage. Avoid. Unless you’re trying to sound incredibly pretentious.
• Jerry: This is for busses. Not taxis. Stop confusing things. My Uncle Barry once got confused and it took forever to get home.

Additional fun facts (because why not?):

• London’s black cabs are legendary. Seriously. They’re like the Rolls Royces of taxis. Way more iconic than New York’s yellow cabs. Fight me.
• Those drivers know the city better than my Aunt Mildred knows her own garden. They’re basically human GPS systems with a charming accent.
• The Knowledge: The ridiculously hard test drivers need to pass. Involves memorizing 25,000 streets. Yep. Twenty-five. Thousand. I’d rather eat my socks. I really would.

My neighbor, Dave, once tried to take the Knowledge. He lasted about three days. Three days, and he then promptly sold his car. He’s now a yoga instructor. Go figure.

How do you call a London taxi?

Ugh, London taxis. Black cabs, right? You just flag ’em down. On the street. If the light’s on? That means they’re free. So, look for the yellow taxi sign lit up. Simple.

Or…taxi ranks. Yeah, those are everywhere. Near train stations, tube stations, bus stops… all the busy places have taxi ranks.

• Hail on the street: Look for the light!
• Taxi Ranks: Train, tube, bus stops, etc.

Oh, and the Gett app! Yeah, that’s a thing. Book ’em through the Gett app. My cousin, Liam, uses it all the time when he visits. He hates hailing cabs.

You can also call. By phone. Phone booking is possible. Why would anyone call though? Apps are way easier.

I think they’re called black cabs because they’re…black. Duh.

• Gett app: Book a black cab easily.
• Phone: Call a cab (old school!).

Wait, are they ALL black now? I saw a silver one once. Maybe.

So, recap? Flag on the street, rank, Gett, phone. Four ways. Got it. Oh, and they’re official. Like, official official.

What do Londoners call taxis?

Ugh, taxis in London? Okay, so last summer, scorching hot, right? I was near Piccadilly Circus, totally lost, trying to find this tiny vintage shop.

Sweating like crazy! I hailed a black cab. Asked the driver, a proper Cockney geezer, how much to Covent Garden.

He chuckled. “Right you are, love. Let’s get you in this ‘ack, then!” ‘Ack! That’s what he called it! A freakin’ hack! Felt so authentic.

Funny though, because online I keep seeing ‘black cab’. No one I actually talked to in London uses that.

Black cabs are basically the only taxis worth taking. So much better than those Uber drivers in their Toyotas. Trust me on this, a proper hack is the way to go.

• Officially: Hackney Carriage
• Commonly: ‘Ack
• Tourists: Black Cab
• My experience: Overpriced but iconic

What is an iconic London taxi called?

A London taxi? You mean the things that look like they’re built from spare parts from a WWII Spitfire? They’re called black cabs, duh. Or hackneys. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, a hackney carriage. Sounds like something a Victorian butler would drive, right?

Key things to know:

• They’re black. Mostly. Sometimes they’re like, a really dark grey, which is almost black.
• They’re legendarily expensive. Like, I once paid £40 to go two miles. Two MILES! More than a round trip to the moon, I swear.
• Drivers are supposed to know London better than the Queen. Don’t bet on it, though. My driver last week got lost in a roundabout. A ROUNDABOUT!

Remises? Yeah, those were the fancier hackneys. Think of them as the Rolls Royces of horse-drawn carriages. Probably smelled better too. 2023 is a bit different. You know, electric cabs.

Extra info, because I’m feeling generous:

• Finding a black cab can be like a scavenger hunt, only the prize is a potentially bankrupt wallet.
• Getting a conversation going with your driver is like winning the lottery. You’ll hear the most incredible stories— mostly about traffic. And lost luggage.
• Expect to pay a fortune for that “iconic” experience. Trust me, your bank account will thank you later…if you have anything left. This is England, baby.

What are London taxis called?

London taxis? They’re called hackneys, duh. Or black cabs. Or cabs. Or taxis. Pick one. It’s not rocket science, people. Seriously, it’s like asking what water is called – wet stuff.

Black cabs are the iconic ones, the ones that look like they belong in a Hercule Poirot movie, all shiny and black. Think less Batmobile, more…well, a slightly less beat-up hearse.

Fancy pants hackneys used to be called remises. Sounds fancy, right? Like a haute couture dress for horses.

Here’s the lowdown, straight from my Uncle Barry (who once drove one, briefly, before getting lost navigating the M25):

• Types: Hackney carriages, black cabs, cabs, taxis – potato, potato.
• Color: Mostly black. Some exceptions exist, but they’re rare as hen’s teeth.
• Iconic Status: More recognizable than the Queen’s corgis. (I’m not even kidding).
• Remises: Think of them as the Rolls Royce of horse-drawn cabs. Very posh, back in the day.
• My Uncle Barry’s anecdote: He swears he once picked up Princess Anne…but he was drunk, so who knows.

The point is, you know what they are. Stop asking such silly questions. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to watch paint dry. It’s way more exciting.