Table talk

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[edit] In Literature

Table Talk is a species of memoir in which a collector (biographer, colleague, friend, etc.) records impromptu comments by some famous person (made generally at the dining table or in small get-togethers), in anticipation of their lasting value. The collector may go on to publish the remarks in book form.

"Table talk" may also refer to a similar informal conversation, more deliberately engaged in by the famous person, with the direct intent of publication (somewhat analogous to granting an interview).

Collections of such table talks by royal persons, celebrities, and other important personalities dating back to the 3rd century exist. The phrase table talk has been in use in the English language since the 16th century.

As examples, published table talks exist for:

• Frederick the Great
• Martin Luther
• John Milton
• Samuel Johnson
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Napoleon Bonaparte
• Johann von Goethe
• Bronson Alcott
• William Hazlitt
• George Bernard Shaw
• Adolf Hitler

Occasionally, comments are collected from others by a notable person as part of that person's working notes and may survive in the papers of that person. Ralph Waldo Emerson, for example, kept notes on the conversations of his family and friends, many of whom, of course, were noteworthy.

[edit] In Cards

In certain card games played in pairs, table talk refers to a player communicating to their partner the cards in their hand, contrary to the rules of the game. Such communication may be through explicitly naming cards, but it is far more common to try to give hints which the opposing players will think innocent, but which will be understood by the player's partner.

In some games a player may modify the way they play in order to convey information about their hand to their partner. This is considered acceptable and is not termed table talk, even though the distinguishing line may be very fine. For instance, a 500 player might place a bid of six no trumps to indicate that he holds the joker; this would be acceptable. However, he might modify the tone of voice when making a bid to indicate to his partner that something about the bid is significant (the suit, or perhaps that he does not wish to win it). In the game of Hearts, it is generally unacceptable to talk about the location of the queen of spades or notifying other players of someone threatening to "shoot the moon". Whether this type of table talk is acceptable will depend on the game, the players and the stakes. It is likely to be at least considered unsporting in any but the most light-hearted, social or drunken games.