Wonderful parody YY.

Taxicab, I read somewhere, is short for taximeter cabriolet. A Cabriolet is a vehicle whose passeneger accomodations are closed and whose driver sits out in the open and whose mileage (and therefore rate for hire) is determined by a meter which measures distance traveled - a taxi meter. Pronounced: taksimiter cabrolay, emphasis on sim and bro.

Cabriolets were horsedrawn until the advent of the automobile. There are a number of classic autos which are called cabriolets. The Lagonda was one, I believe, and I think that Rolls had a model or two called cabriolets. There were probably others.

I don't know the difference (if there is one) between a cabriolet and a Hansom unless it is the number of wheels (or horses?) but if what I read is correct and cab is short for cabriolet, it is possible that it should be Hansom cabriolet not Hansom cab?

CB