What is London slang for cab?

A Sweet Treat for a Taxi Ride: Uncovering the London Slang Term “Sherbet”

London, a city steeped in history and colourful traditions, also boasts a rich tapestry of unique slang. While some expressions fade into obscurity, others, like the playful term “sherbet” for a taxi, remain surprisingly prevalent amongst the city’s residents. This seemingly unusual moniker originates from the intriguing world of rhyming slang, a linguistic quirk that’s been a part of the city’s vernacular for decades.

“Sherbet dab” is the rhyming slang construct that ultimately gives us “sherbet” as a colloquialism for “cab.” “Dab” rhymes with “cab,” creating a playful substitution that’s become a common, if somewhat hidden, part of London’s lexicon. This isn’t just a relic of the past; “sherbet” for taxi continues to be used, albeit perhaps more amongst a specific demographic, with younger generations sometimes unaware of the underlying linguistic history.

The origins of rhyming slang are often rooted in the working-class culture of the past, a creative way to avoid censoring or overly formal language. In the case of “sherbet dab,” the seemingly innocuous sweetness of the word “sherbet” masks a playful linguistic history, one that reveals a vibrant tradition of linguistic creativity within the heart of London.

This example of London slang highlights the city’s fascinating linguistic landscape, where creative shortcuts and playful substitutions have become embedded in the everyday speech of its inhabitants. While not everyone might use the term “sherbet” when hailing a cab, its existence and its fascinating etymology remind us of the rich linguistic heritage that continues to thrive in the bustling metropolis.