I've lived in America most of my life, but I've only ever heard (or assumed?) the latter usage, which I assumed related to the phrase "is on the table". I wond

I've lived in America most of my life, but I've only ever heard (or assumed?) the latter usage, which I assumed related to the phrase "is on the table". I wonder what the origin of the former is. edit: I suppose it comes from how optimistically/pessimistically you view someone saying that a decision is on the table, I guess. Funny.