smoking-room

A group of men converse in the smoking-room after dinner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A room designated for smoking: "smoking-room" refers to a room, typically in a public building, private club, or large home, set aside for people to smoke tobacco (cigars, cigarettes, or pipes). It often contains ashtrays, comfortable seating, and ventilation systems to keep the smoke contained.
   • A social space for men (historical): In older contexts, particularly in British clubs and country houses, the "smoking-room" was a male-only area where men would gather after dinner to smoke, drink, and engage in informal conversation (sometimes called "smoke-room talk").

Usage Examples

• (A room where smoking is allowed.)
• (A traditional male social space.)
• (Describing the physical space.)

Advanced Usage

• "Smoke-room talk": a phrase derived from "smoking-room," referring to informal, often gossipy or risqué conversation among men in such a setting.

  • They engaged in smoke-room talk about politics and business. (Casual, male-oriented discussion.)

• "Smoking-room humour": jokes or stories considered appropriate only in a smoking-room, often off-colour or adult in nature.

  • His smoking-room humour was not suitable for mixed company. (Coarse or vulgar jokes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Smoking (adj): the act of inhaling and exhaling tobacco smoke.
  • The smoking section of the restaurant is now closed. (Area for smokers.)
• Smoker (n): a person who smokes tobacco.
  • He is a heavy smoker. (Someone who smokes frequently.)
• Smoke (n/v): the visible vapour from burning tobacco; to inhale and exhale tobacco.
  • The room was full of smoke. (The vapour.)

Synonyms

• Smoking lounge: a more modern term for a room where smoking is permitted.
• Cigar room: a room specifically for smoking cigars, often with humidors.
• Den (historical): a private room in a home where smoking might occur.

Related Idioms

• To clear the air (not directly related, but often used in smoking contexts): to remove smoke or resolve tension.

  • They opened the windows to clear the air of smoke. (Literally remove smoke.)

• To be in the smoking-room (idiomatic): to be in a place where informal, male-dominated conversation occurs.

  • The real decisions were made in the smoking-room, not the boardroom. (Metaphor for backroom deals.)