As a precursor to the publishing of my memoir, and as a shameless piece of self-promotion, this month’s quiz is about cabbie slang, although since it stems from a closed, occupational group, the terms should be referred to as jargon. As before the correct answer will turn green when it’s clicked upon and expanded to give more information. The incorrect answers will turn red giving the correct explanation.
1. What is a Sherbet?
A foolish cabbie
WRONG The cab itself, better known as a Sherbert (dab) has also been given the moniker after a popular modern author Andy McNab, while many of the old hands still refer to it by its Russian-Jewish name a Droshky.
A cab
CORRECT The cab itself, better known as a Sherbert (dab) has also been given the moniker after a popular modern author Andy McNab, while many of the old hands still refer to it by its Russian-Jewish name a Droshky.
A fizzy drink
WRONG The cab itself, better known as a Sherbert (dab) has also been given the moniker after a popular modern author Andy McNab, while many of the old hands still refer to it by its Russian-Jewish name a Droshky.
2. Who’s A Butterboy?
A greasy operator
WRONG Butterboy is a novice, as butter won’t melt in that innocent’s mouth.
A newly qualified cabbie
CORRECT Butterboy is a novice, as butter won’t melt in that innocent’s mouth.
Someone who gets the best jobs
WRONG Butterboy is a novice, as butter won’t melt in that innocent’s mouth.
3. Who might be termed A Musher?
A cabbie who owns his vehicle
CORRECT An owner-driver has been a Musher since the 1880s, the cab roof being equivalent to a mush, an umbrella.
A fast driver
WRONG An owner-driver has been a Musher since the 1880s, the cab roof being equivalent to a mush, an umbrella.
Someone without teeth who mushes their food
WRONG An owner-driver has been a Musher since the 1880s, the cab roof being equivalent to a mush, an umbrella.
4. What on Earth is a Gantville Cowboy?
A cabbie living near Gant’s Hill
CORRECT Gantville Cowboys are predominantly Jewish cabbies who live around Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Ilford and Claybury.
A dodgy garage
WRONG Gantville Cowboys are predominantly Jewish cabbies who live around Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Ilford and Claybury.
A well-known dodgy East London cabbie who rents out vehicles
WRONG Gantville Cowboys are predominantly Jewish cabbies who live around Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Ilford and Claybury.
5. A Shtumer refers to what?
A lost job
CORRECT A Shtumer, originally a bad cheque, is a booked job that on arrival has evaporated.
A private job
WRONG A Shtumer, originally a bad cheque, is a booked job that on arrival has evaporated.
An illegal practice
WRONG A Shtumer, originally a bad cheque, is a booked job that on arrival has evaporated.
6. When would you need The Iron Lung?
When entering the airless Rotherhithe Tunnel
WRONG This is a urinal in Regency Place opposite Portuguese Tony’s Café where you can have a Splosh (cup of tea) with other Mushers.
When you need to urinate
CORRECT This is a urinal in Regency Place opposite Portuguese Tony’s Café where you can have a Splosh (cup of tea) with other Mushers.
When frightened by being warned by a Carriage Officer
WRONG This is a urinal in Regency Place opposite Portuguese Tony’s Café where you can have a Splosh (cup of tea) with other Mushers.
7. What’s a Copperarse?
Someone who will work for coppers, or take short jobs
WRONG Copperarse or Leatherarse works long hours hence the condition of their trousers.
Someone who’s also a policeman
WRONG Copperarse or Leatherarse works long hours hence the condition of their trousers.
Someone working excessive hours
CORRECT Copperarse or Leatherarse works long hours hence the condition of their trousers.
8. Where would you find The Dead Zoo?
Regent’s Park
WRONG Dead Zoo unsurprisingly refers to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road.
House of Lords
WRONG Dead Zoo unsurprisingly refers to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road.
Natural History Museum
CORRECT Dead Zoo unsurprisingly refers to the Natural History Museum on Cromwell Road.
9. Who, or what, was The Resistance?
Medical practitioners in Harley Street
CORRECT Harley Street was The Resistance as consultants were then in 1948 fighting against the nascent National Health Service.
Cabbies who were awarded medals during World War II
WRONG Harley Street was The Resistance as consultants were then in 1948 fighting against the nascent National Health Service.
London Taxi Drivers Association when resisting the introduction of Uber
WRONG Harley Street was The Resistance as consultants were then in 1948 fighting against the nascent National Health Service.
10. Where would find The Dirty Dozen?
The Carriage Office
WRONG The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve streets that take you east from Regent Street to Charing Cross Road without using Oxford Street – Crossrail has seen that one-off. Great Marlborough Street, Noel Street, Berwick Street, D’Arblay Street, Wardour Street, Hollen Street, Great Chapel Street, Fareham Street, Dean Street, Carlisle Street, Soho Square, Sutton Row.
Soho
CORRECT The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve streets that take you east from Regent Street to Charing Cross Road without using Oxford Street – Crossrail has seen that one-off. Great Marlborough Street, Noel Street, Berwick Street, D’Arblay Street, Wardour Street, Hollen Street, Great Chapel Street, Fareham Street, Dean Street, Carlisle Street, Soho Square, Sutton Row.
Twelve boroughs South of the River
WRONG The Dirty Dozen refers to twelve streets that take you east from Regent Street to Charing Cross Road without using Oxford Street – Crossrail has seen that one-off. Great Marlborough Street, Noel Street, Berwick Street, D’Arblay Street, Wardour Street, Hollen Street, Great Chapel Street, Fareham Street, Dean Street, Carlisle Street, Soho Square, Sutton Row.
CabbieBlog 
6/10. Not bad, considering I have never been a licensed cabbie. 🙂
Cheers, Pete.
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