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Paul Terry · September 13th 04, 03:03 PM posted to uk.transport.london

In message ,
writes

Has anyone an earlier date than 1900 for the use of the expression
'the tube'?

I believe the 'Daily Mail' referred to the 'Two-penny Tube' on 4
August 1900; but was the Underground called 'the tube' before then?

The OED gives 30 June 1900 as the first reference in print (Heading in
The Londoner: "The Twopenny Tube"). Followed by a reference to the tube
in Punch of 4th July 1900.

The OED also quotes from the Westminster Gazette of 24 October 1902:

When the phrase "the twopenny tube" came into existence, a
similar electric "tube" had been in regular running for close
upon ten years.

--
Paul Terry