“Taxis and cabs are completely different vehicles.”
Usage Entry 1291 / 1350 60-second read
Taxi vs. Cab
Two words for the same thing — "taxi" is the fuller term; "cab" is informal shorthand.
The comparisoni
“Taxis and cabs are the same thing — "cab" is just informal shorthand for "taxicab," which itself shortens "taximeter cabriolet."”
The ruleii
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TAXI = full. CAB = informal.
TAXI and CAB refer to the same vehicle — a licensed car for hire. "Taxi" is more formal; "cab" is informal shorthand. Both derive from "taximeter cabriolet" — the meter plus the light carriage. "Hail a cab" and "call a taxi" are interchangeable.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Taxi and cab = same thing.