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MUSCOVITE Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
captain VS maitre d'
Hi,
(1) I wonder if these two words mean exactly the same thing to AmEng speakers?
(2) My (very antiquated :-) paperback dictionary also mentions "head waiter" (along with captain and maitre d').
Which of the three terms are mostly heard in modern English?
Thank you!
mus-te
(1) I wonder if these two words mean exactly the same thing to AmEng speakers?
(2) My (very antiquated :-) paperback dictionary also mentions "head waiter" (along with captain and maitre d').
Which of the three terms are mostly heard in modern English?
Thank you!
mus-te
Top answer
I've never heard 'captain'. 'Maitre d' ' in more expensive restaurants; 'head waiter' in less expensive ones.
- I've never heard 'captain'.
- 'Maitre d' ' in more expensive restaurants; 'head waiter' in less expensive ones.
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10 Answers
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I've never heard 'captain'. 'Maitre d' ' in more expensive restaurants; 'head waiter' in less expensive ones.
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Mister MicawberI've never heard 'captain'. 'Maitre d' ' in more expensive restaurants; 'head waiter' in less expensive ones.I've heard 'captain' only in hotels, as in 'bell captain," in charge of porters of luggage.
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Hi,
I think I've read the term 'captain', bit it seems a little old-fashioned to me. And very American.
But here is a job description that seems current
I think I've read the term 'captain', bit it seems a little old-fashioned to me. And very American.
But here is a job description that seems current
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MM:
Philip:
Clive:
Thank you for your help!
One follow-up question if I may.
I wonder if this abbreviated version (maitre d' for maitre d'hotel) only exists in English?
This query should be addressed to Clive in the first place I guess (he's from Canada after all :-)
Do you think maitre d' is an original French abbreviated form? Or mayb
Philip:
Clive:
Thank you for your help!
One follow-up question if I may.
I wonder if this abbreviated version (maitre d' for maitre d'hotel) only exists in English?
This query should be addressed to Clive in the first place I guess (he's from Canada after all :-)
Do you think maitre d' is an original French abbreviated form? Or mayb
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Hi,
I've always assumed it is from a valid French phrase. You can find the phrase, for example, in this French language history of the famous Maxim's in Paris.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim%27s
I've always assumed it is from a valid French phrase. You can find the phrase, for example, in this French language history of the famous Maxim's in Paris.
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim%27s
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To clarify, I was speaking of the full phrase, maitre d'hotel.
I imagine the abbreviation maitre d' is only used in American English. When I lived in England, I only heard it in American movies.
Clive
I imagine the abbreviation maitre d' is only used in American English. When I lived in England, I only heard it in American movies.
Clive
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MUSCOVITEMy (very antiquated ) paperback dictionary . . .Bookmark this online site for all your dictionary requirements.
Rover
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CliveI imagine the abbreviation maitre d' is only used in American English. When I lived in England, I only heard it in American movies.That's exactly what I was asking about!
Thank you, Clive!
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