Where and when did the word taxi originate, and who came up with the word? — Bill, Flagler
We don't know who came up with it, but we do know the word dates from the late 19th century and is an abbreviation for taximeter, the early device that measured the distance traveled and calculated the fare. The taxi part came from the French word taxe, for tariff, according to takeourword.com. Cab, by the way, is short for cabriolet, a type of horse-drawn carriage once used for public transportation.
Have a stumper? Call the Wacky Questions Research Center, 303-892-5225, or e-mail rudeenm@RockyMountainNews.com. Wacky Questions appears Monday through Friday.
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