Yes, it is shorthand for rapid transit train or system, akin to 'underground' which is what London's rapid transit system is called. Subway/underground/el/metro trains are electric multiple-unit trains.
People Also Ask
The subway system is usually just referred to as the trains. Locals say I can take the train to your place to generally mean that they take the subway. The subway is never referred to as the metro, underground, or tube.
A subway is not technically a train, but the tunnel and track where the subway train runs—similar to how a monorail train is a type of train, but a monorail is not a train, but the thing the monorail train runs on. Some people use the word “subway” to mean subway train, though. There are many types of trains.
The subway system is usually just referred to as the trains. Locals say I can take the train to your place to generally mean that they take the subway.
In terms of strict dictionary definitions, both terms imply underground trains. Subway is a generic term, but metro is more localized to certain cities. Subway is generally used for underground train systems and metro for above ground.
In America the first metro was built in New York, and it was called SUBWAY because it was built mostly under the streets (sub= under / way= road), since Manhattan street plan is quite a regular grill and it was easy to do so. But most everywhere else they usually call it simply the TRAIN.
'Train' comes from a French verb that meant to draw; drag. It originally referred to the part of a gown that trailed behind the wearer. The word train has been part of English since the 14th century—since its Middle English days.
subway, also called underground, tube, or métro, underground railway system used to transport large numbers of passengers within urban and suburban areas.
Maneuver Manhattan's train system like a localHere, Archer Hotel New York's consummate host offers timely tips on navigating the New York City subway (aka train) system like a boss. LOCAL TIP: New Yorkers typically call the subway “trains” (not underground or metro) or by their alpha name (the C or the Q).
Metro is an abbreviation for the word Metropolitan. When used in conjunction with transportation it can mean anything from a bus line, train system, thoroughfare, subway, etc. It is simply a local preference in vernacular. A subway denotes under such as the NYC subway system or under passes in Los Angeles.
The system is operated by a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The subway system is usually just referred to as the trains. Locals say I can take the train to your place to generally mean that they take the subway. The subway is never referred to as the metro, underground, or tube.
Usually 'subway' when we're talking about the system in general, such as when we don't know what lines we're going to take Hey, want to take the subway or catch a cab? If we know the lines, then we just use the name/number We can take the L to the N/R or we can catch a cab.
A railroad car, railcar (American and Canadian English), railway wagon, railway carriage, railway truck, railwagon, railcarriage or railtruck (British English and UIC), also called a train car, train wagon, train carriage or train truck, is a vehicle used for the carrying of cargo or passengers on a rail transport ...
In America the first metro was built in New York, and it was called SUBWAY because it was built mostly under the streets (sub= under / way= road), since Manhattan street plan is quite a regular grill and it was easy to do so.
Etymology 1. From Middle English trayne (“train”), from Old French train (“a delay, a drawing out”), from traïner (“to pull out, to draw”), from Vulgar Latin *tragino, from *trago, from Latin traho (“to pull, to draw”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *treg?- (“to pull, draw, drag”).