jitney

Meanings

1. 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. 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.

1. Synonym of cheap, very inexpensive.

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.