What do the various colours of shoulder cords and lanyards signify on stewards work whites?
Are they simply used by different shipping companies who choose a particular colour for all stewards, regardless of job or do they represent stewards staffing different passenger classes or carrying out specific roles ie wine waiters or officer's stewards?

I have collected and identified the following, so far:

Lilac cords with standard white metal MN buttons and lilac lanyard.
Light blue cords with P&O white metal buttons. (P&O)
Light blue cords with white metal standard MN buttons.
Dark blue cords with three white metal standard MN buttons and one P&O button.
Burgundy cords with white metal Orient Line buttons and burgundy lanyard. (Orient Line)

Also, what was the lanyard actually used for - perhaps a pencil, a bottle opener or similar.
I have other steward's badges requiring info but will post these separately.
many thanks,
George