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Definition jitney

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 French jetnée, from French jeton (“token, coin-sized metal disc”), though this is disputed. Evidence for the Louisiana Creole French origin include the geographic distribution (Southeastern US, especially Negro/African-American), and early spelling as gitney, which is common French spelling for the /ji/ pronunciation.

Noun

jitney (plural jitneys)

1. A small bus or minibus which typically operates service on a fixed route, sometimes scheduled.
2. An unlicensed taxi cab.
3. A shared-ride taxi.
4. (US, archaic) A small coin, a nickel.
5. (in attributive use, US, archaic) Very inexpensive.
6. (Canada) An informal lawn bowling or curling competition in which all players present are randomly drawn into teams.
7. (Can we clean up this sense?) A fraudulent arrangement whereby a broker who has direct access to an exchange executes trades on behalf of a broker who doesn't.