Vedette

See also: Vedette (disambiguation)

The French military term vedette (formed from Latin videre, to see), also spelled vidette, migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc., to a main body of troops. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.

All around Salisbury Plain in southern England, the roads connecting the plain with the surrounding countryside feature a brick-built guard-post, manned by security officers whenever there is military activity beyond that point. They are known as vedettes, each being named for a local geographic feature.

The Gardjola (Maltese for watch tower) in Senglea, Malta is an example of a vedette. It may be referred to in French as an échauguette.

Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting or patrol boat.

The term has also been used for specific naval vessels (see USS Vedette), and a class of flying boat (see Canadian Vickers Vedette).

Spanish

Main Article: Vedette

In some Latin American countries the term vedette (after the French for star or celebrity) is used to describe female singers and entertainers skilled in Latin styles of singing and/or dancing and/or acting. Equivalent English terms are diva, bombshell, showgirl. Examples include Susana Giménez, The Pussycat Dolls, Iris Chacón, Adabel Guerrero and Candida Batista.More generally the term describes female variety performers whose talents typically include dancing, acting and singing in theatres, and making appearances in day-time gossip television shows (to have fake feuds with each other as publicity stunts). These risqué productions are similar to the French cabarets, burlesque and revue.

Notable women who have worked as vedettes

• Marilyn Monroe, An all American Golden Girl, actress, singer and model as well as a pop and cultural icon as well as an eminent American sex symbol from the 20th century.
• Kelly Key a Brazilian Singer & carnival star.
• Andrea Ghidone, A Uruguayan Dancer, Actress and Model.
• Adabel Guerrero, An Argentine Pole dancer and cabaret star.
• Tina Ferreira, A Afro-Uruguayan carnival dancer & showgirl.
• Vanessa L. Williams, An Actress, Singer and theater Dancer.
• Susana Giménez, An Argentine ex-Vedette and TV Hostess
• Moria Casán, An Argentine ex-Vedette and TV Hostess
• Dita Von Teese, An American Golden girl and live show Entertainer.

External references

• Famous Vedettes (cabaret performers) of Mexico (english - pdf)

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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