Pronunciation: [hˈansəm] (IPA) 
Hansom is a word related to a type of carriage that was first popularized in the 19th century. The spelling of hansom in English can be a bit tricky because of the silent "m" at the end. It is pronounced \ˈhæn.səm\ with the stress on the first syllable, and the second syllable featuring a schwa vowel sound. The word has also become somewhat obsolete, and is now used primarily in historical or literary contexts.
A hansom is a noun that refers to a type of two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage, commonly used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This mode of transportation was primarily designed for urban travel and is characterized by its elegant and compact design. The hansom carriage features a single horse pulling the vehicle, with the passenger compartment positioned at the rear, while the driver sits on a high seat at the front. The carriage is made of a sturdy frame, covered with a folding roof that can be opened or closed, depending on weather conditions.
Hansoms were widely utilized in cities all over the world and were especially prevalent in London, where they became synonymous with the city's transportation system. Due to their maneuverability and relatively high speed, they were commonly employed as public taxis, providing passengers with a comfortable and efficient means of transportation. The hansom's iconic design, which allowed for easy entry and exit through a low, front-opening door, made it a popular choice for city dwellers looking for an elegant and convenient ride.
Although hansom carriages have become obsolete with the advent of modern motor vehicles, their enduring legacy is seen in the continued use of the term "hansom" to refer to this specific type of horse-drawn carriage, symbolizing a bygone era of transportation and elegance.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hansom" is derived from the surname of its inventor, Joseph Aloysius Hansom. Joseph Hansom was an English architect who designed the first Hansom cab in 1834. The cab featured a unique design with a semi-enclosed carriage, high driver's seat at the rear, and a door for passenger access. The popularity of these cabs quickly spread, and they became widely known as "Hansom cabs" due to Joseph Hansom's association with their invention. Over time, the term "Hansom" became synonymous with this type of cab, and the word eventually entered the English language as a common noun referring to this specific vehicle.
