In ordinary

Detail of the view of Toulon in the Vues des ports de France (1754) by Claude Joseph Vernet, showing part of the French fleet stored in ordinary in the military harbour.

In ordinary is an English phrase with multiple meanings.[1] In relation to the Royal Household and public officials more generally, it indicates that a position is a permanent one (in contrast to positions that are extraordinary). In naval matters, vessels "in ordinary" (from the 17th century) are those out of service for repair or maintenance, a meaning coming over time to cover a reserve fleet or "mothballed" ships.[2]

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. ^ "Vessels "In Ordinary" or Reserve — May 1805". html Index of Vessels etc. May 1805. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.