Charabanc: The Quaint Tour Vehicle in Crosswords

Across many crosswords, a quaint term for a sightseeing coach appears in clues like tour vehicle quaintly. The answer is typically CHARABANC, a word that signals archaic British usage.

What is a charabanc?

A charabanc is a motor coach with rows of seating used for sightseeing. It was a common sight on day trips in the early 20th century, especially in Britain. The word itself captures a sense of frontier travel and open-air tours.

Origin and meaning

The term comes from French char à bancs, literally cart with benches. This describes a vehicle designed to carry passengers seated on benches along the sides.

Spelling variants

• charabanc
• char-a-banc
• charabancs (plural)

Charabanc in crosswords

In cryptic and quick crosswords, quaint terms are often clued with descriptors like quaintly or archaic. A clue such as tour vehicle quaintly typically points to charabanc and not a modern bus or coach.

Example clues

Tour vehicle quaintly → CHARABANC

Tips for solvers

• Look for signals that a term is old-fashioned, such as quaintly, archaic, or regional.
• If the clue mentions a vehicle used for sightseeing, consider charabanc as a likely fit rather than generic bus or coach.
• Be aware of hyphenated spellings like char-a-banc that may appear in clues or grids.

Quick historical note

Charabancs were popular for day trips and excursions in Britain during the early to mid-1900s, offering a social and open-air ride for passengers.

Related terms

• coach
• bus
• char-a-banc