black car

English

Noun

black car (plural black cars)

1. (London) a black cab, a taxi that is only hailed from the street
2. (New York City) a taxi that cannot be hailed from the street, but is called by placing a phone-in request; a call cab, a radio taxi
   • 1987 April 4, “'Black Cars' Take over Yellow Cabs' Radio Calls”, in New York Times:

     To insure prompt service, large financial and legal concerns maintain accounts with as many as 10 black-car companies.

   • 1998 November 11, “Yellow Cabs and Black Cars: A Quick Lesson”, in New York Times:

     Today the term "livery car" encompasses a range of private taxis, including car services that serve the working and middle classes, "black cars" that transport businesspeople, commuter vans in Queens and Brooklyn and vans for the disabled.

3. (US) A large government SUV with blacked-out windows
4. A limousine
5. A hearse

Coordinate terms

• (government vehicle): black helicopter