smokerette

English

Etymology

From smoker (“informal social gathering for men only”) +‎ -ette (“female suffix”).

Noun

smokerette (plural not attested)

1. a social function for both men and women where smoking is permitted
   • 1915, Michigan Manufacturer & Financial Record, volume 15:

     A unique departure will be made at the convention in abandoning the time-honored smoker for a smokerette, which the ladies will be invited to attend. Special “cigars” are being prepared for the ladies and the committee in charge predicts that every lady present will “smoke.”

   • 1917, National Brick Manufacturers' Association of the United States of America, Official Report, Annual Convention, pages 27, 162:

     Secretary Randall: While we are waiting for the gentleman, I would like to make an announcement or two. There will be a smokerette this evening which is a complimentary entertainment given by the Local Committee on Entertainment. […] President Salmen: Ladies and Gentlemen—We have been feasting on good things. In fact, it has been a feast ever since we came to New York. One of the feasts that appealed to me especially was what we had last night at the smokerette. I hope, if I am privileged to attend another brickmakers’ convention, we will have a smokerette, because we want the ladies with us.

   • 1917, Rock Products, volume 19, number 10, page 43:

     The smokerette, which was announced for Wednesday evening, March 7, was well attended, the ladies being present.

   • 1922, The Clay-Worker, volumes 77–78, page 132:

     We have paid a lot of attention to the social side of this convention, and as a member of the local committee I would like to announce the smokerette for tonight.

   • 1923, Brick and Clay Record, volume 62, page 319:

     Following the plan developed in recent conventions, the society, which is composed of seven industrial divisions, convened in one general gathering and for a banquet and smokerette. […] A smokerette on Tuesday evening at which approximately 600 ladies and gentlemen were present, and a theatre party on Wednesday evening completed the social features of the convention.

   • 1923, Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, page 395:

     Tuesday evening a smokerette was held in the ballroom of the William Penn. Dancing followed entertainment, which varied from “community” singing to the reading of a very serious paper on the “Plasticity of Clay” by Dr. B. Rouhland, a German scientist scheduled to appear before the Terra Cotta Division on Wednesday, but granted permission by Dr. Tillotson to speak on this occasion.

   • 1923, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, volume 15, page 320:

     On the second evening of the convention, a smokerette and dance were given for the entertainment of the guests.

   • 1923, American Ceramic Society, The Bulletin of the American Ceramic Society, page 13:

     Smokerette Committee / It was decided to hold the smokerette on Tuesday night instead of Wednesday which date will be used for the Alumni party.

   • 1976, American Flint, volume 66, page 35:

     A Smokerette was held for our good friend and long time union officer, Ralph “Red” Reed on June 13. Red retired on permanent disability June 1.