Text: “Oh no! The tables are tabling.”

Context: My family and I reference this inside joke a lot, but we are all unsure how this saying has originated. We presume that it must have been when my sister and I were younger and were still learning what popular folk phrases were. In this case, I think one of us was trying to reference the saying: “How the tables have turned.” However, I think one of said that the tables are “tabling” instead. Although I believe this saying has stuck because my family found it humorous and endearing. We usually say this in rather serious situations where one of our family members is leaving whether it’s for college or on a trip. Usually, on the days up until the day of departure, my family is very vocal about how much they will miss the family member who is leaving. Once the departing family member is about to leave, they suddenly feel distressed and also have feelings of missing the family right as they are about to leave. At this moment, my family would go, “Oh no! The tables are tabling!” meaning that situation and our feelings have been completely reversed.

Analysis: Although this phrase is used in moments where my family reverses emotional states, we use this phrase as a way to humorously cope with the situation. The humor in the phrase comes from its grammatical error as using table as a verb when it’s usually a noun. I would say that this error adds to its charm and reflects what my family finds silly and meaningful. In this way, I think it the use of this phrase marks our culture as a family and reinforces our bond through shared humor and feelings. Ultimately, this phrase shows how our inside jokes are used over time and gains layers of meaning that go beyond its original mistake. What started as a childhood mistake has become an endearing way for my family to express their love for each other and the bittersweet nature of parting.