Winston Churchill wrote about a misunderstanding during World War 2 which was caused by the different meanings for this expression: The enjoyment of a common l

Winston Churchill wrote about a misunderstanding during World War 2 which was caused by the different meanings for this expression: The enjoyment of a common language was of course a supreme advantage in all British and American discussions. The delays and often partial misunderstandings which occur when interpreters are used were avoided. There were however differences of expression, which in the early days led to an amusing incident. The British Staff prepared a paper which they wished to raise as a matter of urgency, and informed their American colleagues that they wished to "table it." To the American Staff "tabling" a paper meant putting it away in a drawer and forgetting it. A long and even acrimonious argument ensued before both parties realized that they were agreed on the merits and wanted the same thing. You'll see that in the 3rd paragraph on this page: https://books.google.com/books?id=zVdux2KfenoC&lpg=PP1&dq=winston%20churchill%20table%20second%20world%20war%20grand%20alliance&pg=PA609#v=onepage&q&f=false https://books.google.com/books?id=zVdux2KfenoC&lpg=PP1&dq=wi...