black cab
nounEtymology From the usual black colour of officially licensed hackney carriages and motorized taxis in London, particularly after World War II.
1
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:
2
Informal Similarly styled taxis elsewhere, especially officially licensed taxis elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
- Synonyms
- hackney carriage