Word of the Day

: January 31, 2008

jehu

noun JEE-hyoo

What It Means

: a driver of a coach or cab

jehu in Context

The jehu who picked us up from the hotel got us to the airport in plenty of time, but his reckless driving gave us more of an adventure than we would have liked.

Did You Know?

Today's word comes from the name of a notoriously speedy chariot driver. Originally a commander of chariots for Ahab, king of Israel, Jehu later led a revolt against the throne and became king himself. In the Bible, it is noted of Jehu that "he drives furiously" (II Kings 9:20). In the 17th century, English speakers began using "jehu" as a generic term meaning "coachman" or, specifically, "a fast or reckless coachman." Today, we are more likely to use the word in reference to reckless cabdrivers. The phrase "drives like Jehu" is encountered occasionally, too.