jitney

Meaning

Noun

1. (US, archaic) Synonym of nickel, a 5-cent coin or amount.
2. Synonym of minibus, especially one with a scheduled fixed route.
3. Synonym of gypsy cab, an unlicensed taxi.
4. Synonym of shared taxi, a taxi usually shared with strangers to maximize profitability per trip.
5. (Canada) An informal lawn bowling, curling, or darts competition in which all players present are randomly drawn into teams.
6. A fraudulent arrangement whereby a broker who has direct access to an exchange executes trades on behalf of a broker who does not.

Adj

Synonym of cheap, very inexpensive.

Synonyms

autobus

bus

🚌

charabanc

omnibus

passenger vehicle

motorbus

motorcoach

coach

double-decker

stage

cheap

minibus

🚐

Translations

λεωφορείο

باص

🚌

حافِلة

autocar

autobús

🚌

òmnibus

أُوتُوبِيس

πούλμαν

autobus

🚌

bus

🚌

autocar

autobus

🚌

corriera

pullman

أُوتُوبُوس

Etymology

1886, originally for a five-cent US coin (a nickel); use for taxis and buses due to these services originally charging five cents as fare, popularized circa 1915.
The etymology is uncertain; it is believed to originate from Louisiana Creole jetnée, from French jeton (“token, coin-sized metal disc”), though this is disputed. Evidence for the Louisiana Creole French origin includes the geographic distribution (Southeastern US, especially Black/African-American), and early spelling as gitney, which is common French spelling for the /ʒi/ pronunciation.