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=wi...

I'm american, and I've definitely seen it used "Alright, let's just table the issue" implying "let's come back to that issue later". I can't say that the slang makes any sense, but that's slang for you heh

1: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/16285/what-is-the...

It's used that way in meetings run under Robert's Rules. To table is to put off a decision until a future meeting.

I'm American, and I generally understand 'to table a debate' to mean 'suspend discussion'. Use of the word 'suspend' is probably more common in informal use, but I often hear 'table' used to mean 'suspend discussion' when the point of the discussion is to reach a formal decision.

For instance, my local paper might report that 'discussion on the proposed ordinance was tabled after hours of heated debate at City Council'. If we've been talking about a point for too long without reaching a conclusion at work, somebody might suggest we table it.

I first encountered the 'present for discussion' meaning in Model U.N., which I found very confusing. The BBC World Service uses that meaning, which is extremely confusing when they are reporting on American politics.

No. That is specifically what it means for parliamentary proceedings in the US. Any discussion that's postponed for another time under Robert's Rules of Order is done so with a "motion to table."

(BTW: what's the British counterpart to Robert's Rules?)

Managed to find the wiki article on it:

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

Yes, in formal meetings, to "Table the issue" means to agree to stop talking about it until later. It then becomes part of "unfinished business" on future agendas.

I see it used as such all the time in professional interactions.

It comes from our legislature, but it's been adopted into somewhat common parlance in business. Normal people wouldn't say it in casual conversation, though.

I use it, but if it is a niche, its likely a geographic one. I am from Florida originally, so it may be a mid west or north east term.

I'm a native US speaker and I've heard that usage all the time!

"Let's table this until later."

It is very common and I've used and seen it used many, many times over my lifetime.

"Let's table this discussion for later" is a pretty common phrase.