Also taxy. Colloquial abbreviation of TAXIMETER; also of TAXI-CAB.

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1907.  Daily Chron., 26 March, 6/7. Every journalist … has his idea of what the vehicle should be called. It has been described as the (1) taxi, (2) motor-cab, (3) taxi-cab, (4) taximo,… (7) taximeter-cab. Ibid. (1908), 4 Feb., 4/7. Within the past few months the ‘taxi’ has been the name given to the motor-cab.

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1908.  Daily News, 30 April, 2. Many ladies … now take a ‘taxy’ regularly for the morning’s shopping. There are about 350 horsed ‘taxies’ on the road.

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1908.  E. V. Lucas, Over Bemertons, iv. He went away in a taxi.

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  attrib. and Comb.  1907.  Daily Chron., 27 Aug., 4/7. ‘Take me to the New Theatre,’ said the fare. ‘Which one, sir?’ respectfully asked the ‘taxy’ driver.

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1909.  Daily News, 3 March, 6. You can safely leave the rest to the taximen.

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1909.  Westm. Gaz., 20 Sept., 5/4. To qualify for the taxi-driving ‘profession.’

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