Oddbean new post about login | logout @bb052609 I was actually thinking about this a bit and I wonder if they really means anything at all... In both cases the "table" represents "an angenda for a meeting".. when americans say "table the motion" they mean, "put it on the next agenda".. when brits use it they mean "put it on the current agenda"... but in reality they are both just saying "lets put this on the agenda".. they only differ on what agenda they are implying. Not saying your wrong, just pointing out despite having opposite meanings they are kinda the same meaning in a weird way too.
@b05df304 @bb052609 The phrase does have meaning and it's based on a physical act. To table a motion in UK Parliamentary terms, which is where the phrase originates in Britain, is to physically put the papers for the motion on the table in the Commons, so that it takes precedence in the order and can then be debated by MPs. I'm guessing that the US usage must derive from papers for a motion being removed to a table for filing purposes once the debate on it has ended.
@28e7000d Reading a bit further and thinking about this. It actually isnt a difference in language at all. Americans use the british version of the pjrase and meaning in every day life. It is only in congress itself the phrase appears to be used different. Though even then it is in a sense the same meaning from a certai pov. @bb052609
@28e7000d Let me try to explain myself a bit better, after reading a few opinions on this and thinking about it myself... So as an example in america the following would be a normal usage of the term: Someone: "Would you consider giving me a raise" Boss: "Sure its on the table, tell me why you deserve one?" Here we are using "on the table" to mean "It is something i am willing to discuss, I havent dismissed it" Which is totally in line with the british usage. In congress it is used more formally to "discuss a thing later".. it is partly used this way because it is intended as a contrast to being "on the floor" which means whatever is currently being discussed. But it is not being used to say "we are dismissing this" we are saying the same thing "sure this is something open for debate, so lets add it to the list of things that we need to resolve so we remember to come back to it later" Its pretty much the same meaning in terms of every day use, in fact identical. It is only in the formal rules of congress/parliment it is applies slightly different despite still sorta meaning the same. @bb052609