Category Archives: Puppydog tails

London’s oldest ferry

16 August, 2022 Gibson Square 2 Comments

Lately, on CabbieBlog, we’ve had London’s oldest flyover and the oldest bridge still in use.

For many years the medieval London Bridge was the only means to cross the River without using a boat. The footprint of these past ferries remains, Horseferry Road, Westminster, numerous Ferry Lanes, Tottenham, Dagenham, Haringey and East and West Ferry Roads on the Isle of Dogs.

So where are London’s oldest working ferries? Well, there are only two contenders, the free ferry service at Woolwich and Hampton’s ferry.

Since at least the 14th century there has been a ferry service on the Thames running between Woolwich North to the south bank at Woolwich. In 1810 the army established its own ferry that ran from Woolwich Arsenal to Duvals Wharf. In 1811 an Act of Parliament was passed to establish a ferry across the Thames from Woolwich. In 1889 a free passenger and vehicle ferry service started operation. By the early 1960s, increasing demand saw the paddle steamers retire and the ferry service upgraded to a roll-on/roll-off model. It is currently run by Transport for London.

Another still operational ferry service is the Hampton Ferry, which can only transport pedestrians, operating on the Thames about a mile west of Hampton Court Bridge between Hampton on the north bank and Hurst Park, Molesey, on the south bank.

Dating from 1514 it provided a service for agricultural workers and fishermen. It was incorporated by statute, making it one of the oldest British companies. The ferry, which costs £2 for a single crossing, operates from April to October.

Featured image: The Hampton Ferry by DiamondGeezer (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Puppydog tails

Protected: Gone and almost forgotten

12 August, 2022 Gibson Square

Puppydog tails

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Tube Map

10 August, 2022 Gibson Square 2 Comments

TUBE MAP (n.) Diagram designed, using simple coloured lines, to confuse tourists, thus ensuring they stand observing its image obstruking Londoners traversing the Underground.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

Puppydog tails

Test Your Knowledge: August 2022

5 August, 2022 Gibson Square 1 Comment

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

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