
The word ‘livery’ itself derives from the French livrée.
The term ‘livery’ comes from the time when coaches were available only through the services of a livery stable, and the coachmen were uniformed, according to which company they represented. Today in North America, a ‘livery vehicle’ remains a legal term of art for a vehicle for hire, such as a taxicab or chauffeured limousine, or luxury sedan.
