Tracing the Word ‘Taximeter’: From 19th-Century Invention to Everyday Language

The word “taximeter” originates from French taximètre—combining taxe (charge/tariff) and mètre (measure)—and was modeled on the German term Taxameter; it emerged in the late 19th century alongside a mechanical fare meter invented by German engineer Friedrich Wilhelm Gustav Bruhn, and later gave rise to “taxicab” and “taxi.” In essence, the term literally means “fare-measurer,” reflecting its purpose in calculating the cost of a ride by distance and time.

Etymology and Linguistic Roots

At its core, “taximeter” is a hybrid built from Latin-derived and Greek-derived elements, transmitted through French and influenced by German engineering terminology. Understanding these components shows how technology and language coevolved as the taximeter spread across European cities.

• French: taximètre — taxe (“charge, tariff”) + mètre (“measure”).
• German: Taxameter — Taxe (“tariff, fare”) + Meter (“meter, measuring device”).
• Latin/Medieval Latin: taxare/taxa — “to assess, appraise; charge.”
• Greek: metron — “measure,” the root behind “meter.”

Taken together, these elements describe a device that measures a monetary assessment—precisely the function of a cab’s fare meter.

Invention and Historical Adoption

The term emerged in tandem with the device’s real-world use. The engineering breakthroughs and the subsequent spread of metered cabs explain how the word moved swiftly from technical jargon into everyday speech across Europe and beyond.

1. 1891: German engineer Friedrich Wilhelm Gustav Bruhn patents a mechanical fare meter, marketed under the German name Taxameter.
2. Late 1890s: French form taximètre gains traction; English adopts taximeter soon after.
3. 1897: The Daimler Victoria, often cited as the first motorized cab equipped with a taximeter, enters service in Stuttgart, helping standardize metered fares.
4. Early 1900s: Widespread urban adoption follows in European capitals; the compound “taximeter cab” is shortened to “taxicab” and then simply “taxi” (recorded in English by 1907).

These milestones underscore how a German-made device, labeled in both German and French, seeded a family of words—taximeter, taxicab, taxi—that quickly became global.

How the Word Shaped the Industry

From Device Name to Everyday Noun

Because the meter defined the business model—charging by measured time and distance—the device’s name became shorthand for the service. The public, regulators, and manufacturers all leaned on the same core term, accelerating its linguistic adoption.

Standardization and Transparency

The “taximeter” name helped signal a standardized, auditable way to calculate fares, distinguishing metered cabs from earlier, negotiable-rate carriages. This transparency was key to regulatory acceptance and public trust, further entrenching the word in law and usage.

Summary

“Taximeter” is a late-19th-century coinage from French taximètre, influenced by German Taxameter, built from roots meaning “charge” and “measure.” Coinciding with Bruhn’s 1891 invention and the 1897 debut of metered motor cabs, the term quickly entered English, spawning “taxicab” and “taxi.” The word’s trajectory mirrors the technology’s role in standardizing urban transport fares worldwide.

What is the origin of the word taximeter cab?

Taximeter derives partly from German and partly from the Medieval Latin taxa, meaning “tax” or “charge.” Thus, a taximeter-cab was a car for hire outfitted with such a device; when we refer to the car as a taxi, we’re using a shortened form of taxicab, which is already a shortened form of taximeter-cab.

What does the Greek word taxi mean?

The Greek word τάξις (pronounced taxis) means “order,” “arrangement,” or “division” and is the root of the English word “taxi”. In modern Greek, this is shortened to “ντάξει” (daksi) and is used to mean “okay” or “(everything’s) in order”. 
Here’s a breakdown of the Greek word and its related terms:

• τάξις (taxis): This ancient Greek word is the origin of the word “taxi” in English. It signifies order, arrangement, or a proper disposition. 
• Εντάξει (en taxi) / Ντάξει (daksi): This is a common modern Greek expression that literally means “(everything’s) in order” and is used to say “okay” or “alright”. 
• Ταξίδι (taxidi): In Modern Greek, this word means “journey”. 
• Μέταξι (metaxi): A different Greek word, meaning “between”. 

The modern automobile “taxi” comes from the French term taximètre, which refers to a taximeter, a device that measures the fare. The word taximètre itself comes from the Medieval Latin taxa, and ultimately from the Greek word taxis, referring to a “rate” or “tariff” for the journey.

Where did the word taxi originate?

The word “taxi” originated as a shortened form of “taximeter cab,” a vehicle with a device for calculating the fare. The term “taximeter” comes from the Medieval Latin word taxa (“tax, charge”) combined with the Greek word metron (“measure”). The taximeter, a 19th-century invention, was a crucial part of the hired vehicles that would eventually become known as taxis, or taxicabs. 
Here is a breakdown of the etymology:

1. Taximeter: The full name of the vehicle was “taximeter-cab”. 
2. Taximeter Origin: The term “taximeter” was derived from the German Taxameter, which itself comes from the Medieval Latin taxa (meaning “tax” or “charge”) and the Greek metron (meaning “measure”). 
3. Taxicab and Taxi: The word “taxicab” is a combination of “taximeter” and the older term “cab” (a shortened form of cabriolet, referring to a horse-drawn carriage). The modern word “taxi” emerged around 1907 as a shortening of “taxicab”. 

What is the history of the taximeter?

The modern taximeter was invented by German Friedrich Wilhelm Gustav Bruhn in 1891, and the Daimler Victoria—the world’s first meter-equipped (and gasoline-powered) taxicab—was built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897. Taximeters were originally mechanical and mounted outside the cab, above the driver’s side front wheel.