Use of "Tabling" vs "Shelving" when referring to a discussion vs putting something on hold

[amancalledsun]

I realize it has become commonplace for people to use words incorrectly in their work and daily lives, but these incorrect usages shouldn't be perpetuated in journalism or even casual news. One of the most troubling in recent years is the use of "table" when referring to something that is in fact being "shelved". "Tabling" in correct usage means to put something on the agenda for active discussion, not to delay it until a further interaction if at all. I bring this up because there have been several articles published on Macrumors recently which feature this incorrect usage, most recently in today's news item about the Vision Pro. I would love to see Macrumors sidestep popular inaccuracies in grammar and usage and to avoid colloquialisms where they are not helpful to context or the item being written about. Next up, turning verbs into nouns (i.e. "the ask") when not appropriate. 😉

 

[WildCowboy]

In traditional American usage, "tabling" means to set aside from consideration indefinitely.

 

[S.B.G]

"Tabling" in correct usage means to put something on the agenda for active discussion, not to delay it until a further interaction if at all.

In my professional experience in both attending and sitting on public boards and commissions, 'tabling' has always meant to take something on the current agenda and push it off to the agenda of a future meeting.

MRSC - Parliamentary Procedure: A Brief Guide to Robert's Rules of Order

mrsc.org

• Tabling. Used to postpone discussion until the group decides by majority vote to resume discussion. By adopting the motion to "lay on the table," a majority has the power to halt consideration of a question immediately without debate. This motion requires a second and is not debatable or amendable.

 

[chown33]

Apparently, the US and UK meanings differ:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_(parliamentary_procedure)

The British and Commonwealth meaning of to "table" is to begin consideration of a proposal.

The American meaning of "to table" is to postpone or suspend consideration of a motion.

 

[jclo]

I realize it has become commonplace for people to use words incorrectly in their work and daily lives, but these incorrect usages shouldn't be perpetuated in journalism or even casual news. One of the most troubling in recent years is the use of "table" when referring to something that is in fact being "shelved". "Tabling" in correct usage means to put something on the agenda for active discussion, not to delay it until a further interaction if at all. I bring this up because there have been several articles published on Macrumors recently which feature this incorrect usage, most recently in today's news item about the Vision Pro. I would love to see Macrumors sidestep popular inaccuracies in grammar and usage and to avoid colloquialisms where they are not helpful to context or the item being written about. Next up, turning verbs into nouns (i.e. "the ask") when not appropriate. 😉

I haven't heard tabled used that way before, so I appreciate the heads up that it might be confusing for UK readers. I don't mind changing the wording to something that's clearer.

 

[chown33]

I haven't heard tabled used that way before, so I appreciate the heads up that it might be confusing for UK readers. I don't mind changing the wording to something that's clearer.

How about "retired", a la Blade Runner?

But maybe not "86".

 

[amancalledsun]

I haven't heard tabled used that way before, so I appreciate the heads up that it might be confusing for UK readers. I don't mind changing the wording to something that's clearer.

UK, Canadian, NZ/Aus readers...generally the whole British commonwealth. I know there will always be discrepancies between American usage and British English usage, but there are certainly cases like this where the meaning is actually different. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in.

 

[Nermal]

In traditional American usage, "tabling" means to set aside from consideration indefinitely.

That just sounds so bizarre to me. When we (NZ) "table" something, we're putting it "on the table" so that it's "within reach" and can be discussed. Using it to mean the opposite is baffling to me.