maitre'd

pronounced "MAY-trah, dee." A position somewhat akin to House Manager, but which has become virtually extinct in Las Vegas and similar venues in the past ten years. Still found in its original habitat--upscale restaurants featuring fine dining.

Prior to the advent of advance sale, reserved seats, one simply arranged a reservation and showed up at the showroom. The maitre'd would instruct a Captain (usher) where the party was to be seated, based upon the amount of tip (bribe) the party gave.