Post AaOz6GhUegV2R9hk5w by VirginiaSOpossum@ohai.social
(DIR) More posts by VirginiaSOpossum@ohai.social
(DIR) Post #AaOyWtqBehPZP3uDgG by grammargirl@zirk.us
2023-10-03T18:49:36Z
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A quick reminder that "table the motion" means to stop debate American English and to begin debate in British English.https://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.com/2007/10/to-table.html
(DIR) Post #AaOyoiTidh0jNMtNZY by EllenInEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-10-03T18:52:51Z
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@grammargirl@zirk.us It always baffles me that when folks use Robert's Rules of Order, calling "question" means "stop asking questions and let's vote" instead of, "I have a question"!
(DIR) Post #AaOyq5NGzvMOfzWvpI by vincent@mastodon.coffee
2023-10-03T18:53:07Z
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@grammargirl huh! Didn't know that!
(DIR) Post #AaOyvgedooQzkLKCZc by JamesLonghurst@historians.social
2023-10-03T18:54:06Z
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@grammargirl does "sanction" carry both of its completely contradictory meanings in both American and British English?
(DIR) Post #AaOz6GhUegV2R9hk5w by VirginiaSOpossum@ohai.social
2023-10-03T18:55:59Z
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@grammargirl And THAT is why I've been confused.
(DIR) Post #AaOz9xXTq5YeAPmTmS by vvandinsky@universeodon.com
2023-10-03T18:56:41Z
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@grammargirl And "oversight" means both paying attention and not paying attention.
(DIR) Post #AaOziEqQ0KLPgVz6p6 by Lazarou@mastodon.social
2023-10-03T19:02:45Z
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@grammargirl I was getting so confused!
(DIR) Post #AaOzio4p0lf6xJzbdI by freemo@qoto.org
2023-10-03T19:03:01Z
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@grammargirl We call that an Autoantonym one of my favorite classes of words (though in this case a phrase but same idea).
(DIR) Post #AaOzqjIcepReSJE3oO by grammargirl@zirk.us
2023-10-03T19:04:23Z
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@zceline How funny!
(DIR) Post #AaP065Kf1Qjl8JV89w by grammargirl@zirk.us
2023-10-03T19:07:08Z
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@JamesLonghurst A quick check of a British dictionary makes me believe "sanction" has both its opposite meanings in British English too.https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/sanction
(DIR) Post #AaP0nOMGA0OcantovI by freemo@qoto.org
2023-10-03T19:15:02Z
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@grammargirl 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.
(DIR) Post #AaP3dqhSENhrSZxDoO by JonnyT@mastodon.me.uk
2023-10-03T19:46:57Z
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@freemo @grammargirl 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.
(DIR) Post #AaP3fHmr0VuLl6AI5I by cwwilkie@zirk.us
2023-10-03T19:47:10Z
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@grammargirl "Table the motion," "out of pocket," "on the hook," "off the chain"... There's so much confusion and impediment to communication, at times I suspect enemy action.
(DIR) Post #AaP3vWBnEBbX3lZPcm by JonnyT@mastodon.me.uk
2023-10-03T19:50:01Z
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@grammargirl @JamesLonghurst It does.
(DIR) Post #AaP468c7DldF7wwj0S by freemo@qoto.org
2023-10-03T19:52:04Z
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@JonnyT Sorry i misspoke. Wasnt saying it didnt have meaning. Was trying to say the meaning may not be as different as they appear on the surface.@grammargirl
(DIR) Post #AaP4ceoZ2DSgGMH8Ii by freemo@qoto.org
2023-10-03T19:57:57Z
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@JonnyT 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.@grammargirl
(DIR) Post #AaP54DklF2sSRSdj8q by grammargirl@zirk.us
2023-10-03T20:02:53Z
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@Tedspence How interesting!
(DIR) Post #AaP5WYZ9SCZN6FilTk by freemo@qoto.org
2023-10-03T20:08:03Z
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@JonnyT 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.@grammargirl
(DIR) Post #AaPANldRzbMmnYMOQ4 by futuresprog@mastodon.nzoss.nz
2023-10-03T21:02:19Z
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@grammargirl What would happen if I was to table the motion momentarily?The Brits would start talking about if for a short period, but the Americans would stop talking shortly. @ulidig
(DIR) Post #AaPZDDzEjx8WOgcVbU by ChelecaJeleca@aus.social
2023-10-04T01:40:39Z
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@grammargirl at first I read this as “ you’re required to stop using American English and start using British English”. Someone says “table the motion” and everyone goes “jolly good show hwat” 🤣
(DIR) Post #AaSkGu4qwsVKprwQKW by TeaKayB@mathstodon.xyz
2023-10-05T14:28:20Z
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@grammargirl I love this so much!Though it did occur to me that if there's a motion on the floor it's best to stop whatever's happening and clean it up quickly.