The abbreviation and commonly used name for the
Chicago rail transit system. It has been seen written as the 'L' or the 'el' but is, needless to say, pronounced the same in either case.
The nickname comes from the word 'elevated', as most parts of the 11-line, twisted and jumbled system exist a story or two above ground with
viaducts underneath for people to drive through,
tag, and sleep under.
Other parts of the system are underground but riding on those lines is still called
riding the L, nonetheless.