gypsy cab
Unlicensed hired ride
A gypsy cab is an unlicensed taxi—a car whose driver picks up passengers for payment without official authorization.
The term arose in cities like New York where licensed cabs were scarce in certain neighborhoods: We couldn't find a yellow cab, so we took a gypsy cab.
The practice operates in a legal gray area, sometimes tolerated, sometimes prosecuted.
Vehicle for hire
- rideJourney atop something
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- destinationIntended arrival point
- driverVehicle operator
fare · passenger · vehicle · car · journey · commute · dropoff · curbside
Not controlled by rules
- illegalForbidden by statute
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- off-the-booksUnrecorded for tax purposes
unofficial · noncompliant · uninsured · unmetered · rogue · bootleg · pirate · outlaw
Covert additional employment
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- entrepreneurialInclined to launch ventures
- gig economyWork based on temporary contracts
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
scrappy · cash-in-hand · under the table · self-employed · independent · making ends meet
Large populated area
- metropolisLarge important city
- downtownCentral business district
- boroughAdministrative town or district
- trafficMovement along routes
neighborhood · airport · nightclub · bar district · late-night · after-hours · subway station · street corner
Likely to cause harm
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- dangerExposure to harm
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
- untrustworthyNot deserving of confidence
scam · overcharging · price gouging · unvetted · stranger · unaccountable · enforcement · crackdown
taxi
Vehicle for hire
- rideJourney atop something
- pickupSmall open-bed truck
- destinationIntended arrival point
driver · fare · passenger · vehicle · car · journey · commute · dropoff · curbside · livery
unregulated
Not controlled by rules
- illegalForbidden by statute
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
off-the-books · unofficial · noncompliant · uninsured · unmetered · rogue · bootleg · pirate · outlaw · unpermitted
moonlighting
Covert additional employment
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- entrepreneurialInclined to launch ventures
- gig economyWork based on temporary contracts
resourceful · scrappy · cash-in-hand · under the table · self-employed · independent · making ends meet
city
Large populated area
- metropolisLarge important city
- downtownCentral business district
- boroughAdministrative town or district
traffic · neighborhood · airport · nightclub · bar district · late-night · after-hours · subway station · street corner
unsafe
Likely to cause harm
untrustworthy · scam · overcharging · price gouging · unvetted · stranger · unaccountable · enforcement · crackdown · fines