Cabbie

/ˈkæbi/ noun

Definition

A person who drives a taxi cab for a living.

Etymology

Short for 'cab driver,' derived from 'cabriolet,' a light two-wheeled carriage from French. The term evolved in the 19th century as motorized taxis replaced horse-drawn carriages.

Kelly Says

The word 'cabbie' is one of those uniquely British and American slang terms that actually became formal enough to appear in major dictionaries—it shows how informal, practical language from working people can gain official status over time.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Historically male-coded occupation; informal term naturalized taxi driving as a masculine role during 20th-century urban labor.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'taxi driver' for neutrality, or 'cabbie' when gender is genuinely irrelevant to context.

Inclusive Alternatives

["taxi driver","cab driver"]

Related Words

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