pirata
n.— «Also known as bandit taxis, gypsy cabs or piratas—Spanish for “pirates”—they take business away from licensed cabbies, depress bus ridership and pose safety risks for passengers, officials say.» —“Illegal Taxis Keep On Rolling” by Caitlin Liu Los Angeles Times Nov. 22, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Asthenosphere, a geologist’s term for the molten layer beneath the earth’s crust, sparks a journey that stretches all the way from ancient Greece to the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Plus: What the heck is a dogberg? It’s when...
Some TV commercials launch catchphrases that stick around long after the original ads. The exclamation Good stuff, Maynard! is still a compliment almost 40 years after it was used in a commercial for Malt-O-Meal hot cereal. And: what do you call...