A "liars table" describes the common practice of men of high social standing in a rural community regularly gathering at the same table for coffee or meals at a local diner or other gathering place to socialize.
Description edit
The liars' table is a designated table at a local diner or other gathering place where a group of men would traditionally meet for coffee or meals and to socialize.[1] The proprietor of an establishment typically sets aside a large table as the liars table. Either participants will filter in and out during the day or show up at regular set times. For example, if the liars table is populated by farmers, they would show up during their regular breaks during the day.
The practice is not always referred to as a "liars table," but that term appears across the United States, including Alabama,[2] Florida,[3] Iowa,[4] Maine,[5] Mississippi,[6] Texas,[7] and Ohio.[8] The word "liars" refers to the idea that the men are lying or gossiping about local social or political happenings.
Social framework edit
The liars table has held an important place for informal meetings about local concerns. In some places, the liars' table can provide a space for men of varying career paths and social classes to interact on a regular basis. Liars table participants can be local working-class men, such as farmers or fishermen, businessmen, pillars of the community, or local political figures.[1]
The local liars table can provide a pulse on the political leanings of a community. In Cleveland, Ohio, a straw poll of local politics at the local Liars Table was published in the local paper.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b ""The St. Louis corridor: Mixing, competing, and retreating dialects" by Lauren Friedman" (PDF). repository.upenn.edu. Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
- ^ "Duffy's Deli closes: No more Famous White Chili, Dagwood sandwiches, or Liar's Table". AL.com. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
- ^ "Elvis the Mark, Carny Kids and the Showtown Allstars". The Huffington Post. February 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
- ^ Lasley, Paul (2004). "Cupid at the Liar's Table". Glimpses – Iowa's Rural Legacy, Recollections and Commentary. Bloomington, Indiana: Trafford Publishing.
- ^ Gurian, Scott (August 12, 2002). "Liars' Table". All Things Considered.
- ^ Davis, Carole McReynolds (2011). "Starkville Café". Starkville Daily News. Retrieved March 20, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Kakutani, Michiko (May 26, 1995). "BOOKS OF THE TIMES; They're Liars, and That's Just the Least of Their Problems". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ a b "Liars Table holds straw poll on county, state primary elections". Cleveland Daily Banner. 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2014.[permanent dead link]