Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

call a cab

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.94 in modern English

Syllables: cal-l a -cab
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To raise one's arm to maintain balance while riding.

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see call, cab. (to summon a taxi)

Example Sentences

"An habitually raised arm, termed 'calling a cab', was the trademark of amateurism."
"Drawings of races sixty years ago show the riders trying to avoid catching their horses in the mouth by stretching forward with one arm and lifting the other hand backwards off the reins into the position known as 'calling a cab'. Although it is no longer the normal and recognized thing to do, 'calling a cab' is still occasionally seen when a jockey finds himself in difficulties over a fence."

Etymology

(raise arm while riding): From the similarity to the raised-arm gesture used to summon a taxi.

Inflected Forms

calls a cab (present, singular) calling a cab (participle, present) called a cab (participle, past) called a cab (past)

Questions

What does call a cab mean?: To raise one's arm to maintain balance while riding.
Where does call a cab come from?: (raise arm while riding): From the similarity to the raised-arm gesture used to summon a taxi.

How to pronounce call a cab

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