hail
HAIL
/heɪl/
To signal or wave to a taxi or driver to stop and pick you up; or frozen rain pellets.
In transport contexts, 'hail' implies signaling directly to attract attention from a driver, typically on the street.
The story behind the word. Originally an Old Norse salutation wishing good health ('be hail!'), the word evolved into a greeting, then into calling out to get someone's attention, and finally into shouting or signaling for a passing carriage or cab.
Word relationships
- flag down: 'Flag down' specifically emphasizes waving physical hands or lights to stop a vehicle.
- summon: 'Summon' sounds more formal or authoritative than street-hailing.
- dismiss: 'Dismiss' means sending a driver or vehicle away.
Commonly confused with
- ale: 'Ale' is a type of beer, whereas 'hail' means signaling a ride or frozen precipitation.
Word family
- hailer (noun): One who hails a ride or megaphones.
Collocations
- hail a cab
- hail a taxi
- street hail
- e-hail
Idioms & expressions
- hail a ride
Example sentences
- "She stepped to the curb and raised her hand to hail a yellow cab." Urban transportation
- "He went out into the rain to hail a taxi for her." Literature citation
Memory hook
Imagine waving 'hi' with all your might to 'hail' a cab. Wave 'hi' to hail a cab.
When not to use
Do not use 'hail' when ordering an app-based ride quietly from inside a building unless referring metaphorically to e-hailing.
Fun facts
- In modern transport law, traditional taxicabs hold exclusive rights to 'street hails' in many major cities like NYC.
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