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TomJ Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Q17: What does 'lay the table' mean, please

Hello dear members, 

I wanted to know the meaning of 'lay the table', please. What does it mean? Does it mean 'serve the food'? And there's another setence, I'm not sure if it is actually a sentence, though. The sentence is 'help yourself'. I'd like to ask you what it means and what context we should use it in, please.  

Thank you all. 
  

Top answer

TomJ lay the table "lay the table" - British "set the table" - American to place silverware and plates on the table in preparation for a meal TomJ Does it mean 'serve the food'? No. TomJ help yourself Take whatever you would like.

— CalifJim

  • TomJ lay the table "lay the table" - British "set the table" - American to place silverware and plates on the table in preparation for a meal TomJ Does it mean 'serve the food'?
  • No.
  • TomJ help yourself Take whatever you would like.
  • Serve yourself.
  • There is no need to ask or to wait to be served.
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4 Answers
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TomJlay the table
"lay the table" - British
"set the table" - American

to place silverware and plates on the table in preparation for a meal
TomJDoes it mean 'serve the food'?
No.
TomJhelp yourself
Take whatever you would like. Serve yourself. There is no need to ask or to w
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Okay, CJ. And thank you very much for help. So, 'laying the table or setting the table' is followed by 'laying the food' and then 'serving the food'. Am I right, CJ? And we don't need to say 'lay or set the table' if we just say 'serve the food', do we?
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We don't 'lay the food'/

If we just say 'Serve the food', then we assume the table has been laid/set.
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TomJSo, 'laying the table or setting the table' is followed by 'laying the food' and then 'serving the food'. Am I right, CJ? And we don't need to say 'lay or set the table' if we just say 'serve the food', do we?
For a typical American family meal:

1. You set the table.
2. You bring out the food and set it on the table.
3. Yo
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