Wardroom

Wardroom

The wardroom is the officers' mess in a warship. The term "wardroom" can also be used metonymically to refer to a ship's officer corps.

It provides a place of recreation as well as being a dining room. Usually, a galley or scullery adjoins the wardroom. Service is provided by stewards.

There is usually a bar and soft drinks can be purchased at various times at sea, with alcoholic drinks being available when in port. (The United States Navy does not usually serve alcoholic drinks.)

Wardrooms have rules governing etiquette. Traditionally considered taboo are three topics: politics, religion, and sex (earlier guidebooks referred to the latter as "ladies"). On large ships in peacetime, talking about professional business is frowned upon. It is also considered inappropriate to perform work or to meet with subordinates in a wardroom.

The ship's executive officer is usually the "mess president". The commanding officer is normally not a member of the wardroom, but is normally invited to join the members for special occasions.

Prior to the advent of jet airliners and modern communication, warships played a larger role in diplomacy. They transported diplomats and dignitaries and served as floating embassies where these diplomats would meet their foreign counterparts, hold formal dining in ceremonies, and complete international agreements and treaties. The wardroom was normally used for these occasions and was often lavishly appointed, particularly on warships outfitted for service as flagships.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wardroom — Ward room , n. 1. (Naut.) A room occupied as a messroom by the commissioned officers of a war vessel. See {Gunroom}. Totten. [1913 Webster] 2. A room used by the citizens of a city ward, for meetings, political caucuses, elections, etc. [U. S.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wardroom — ► NOUN ▪ a commissioned officers mess on board a warship …   English terms dictionary

  • wardroom — [wôrd′ro͞om΄] n. [ WARD, n. + ROOM] 1. in a warship, a compartment used for eating and lounging by commissioned officers, except, usually, the captain 2. these officers collectively …   English World dictionary

  • wardroom — UK [ˈwɔː(r)dˌruːm] / US [ˈwɔrdˌrum] noun [countable] Word forms wardroom : singular wardroom plural wardrooms a room on a warship used by all the officers except for the captain …   English dictionary

  • wardroom — noun a) The living quarters of a ship designated for the commissioned officers other than the captain. The captain rarely referred to his wardroom for advice, and this lead to their malcontent. b) The commissioned officers of a ship, excluding… …   Wiktionary

  • wardroom — noun Date: 1748 the space in a warship allotted for living quarters to the commissioned officers excepting the captain; specifically the mess assigned to these officers …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wardroom — /wawrd roohm , room /, n. (on a warship) 1. the area serving as the living quarters for all commissioned officers except the commanding officer. 2. the dining saloon and lounge for these officers. 3. these officers collectively. [1795 1805; WARD… …   Universalium

  • wardroom — ward|room [ˈwo:drum, ru:m US ˈwo:rd ] n the space in a ↑warship where the officers live and eat, except for the captain …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • wardroom — ward|room [ wɔrd,rum ] noun count a room on a WARSHIP used by all the officers except for the CAPTAIN …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • wardroom — quarters for ship s officers Nautical Terms …   Phrontistery dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”