knife in table

[snowqueen]

What is the symbolism of sticking a knife in the table (and leaving it there) in front of someone or in front of a group of people. What is this a statement of?

[Quizmonster]

Sounds very like a challenge to me! In olden days, a knight would throw down his gauntlet (glove) at a rival's feet. If the latter picked it up, that was a signal that he accepted the challenge, upon which they would joust or battle it out in some way to prove which was the superior.

The 'knife in table' version would probably be used in rough-and-ready settings such as a logging camp or a criminals' caf� in Marseilles.

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah it is a challenge all right.

Doesnt it occur as a scene in Trainspotting? Ewan mcgregor's character throws a flaming something or another into a group sitting around their drinks. he then goes and shoves a knife in the table, which sways, ga-doing ga-doing ga doing and this means that he is inviting any one of the group to go outside and fight it out.

worse than drunken lesbians, that's what i say, who you will not be surprised to learn are always ready to hit a fella in the mush - at least they are in manchester. I am a pacifist gin drinker myself - pink gin of course.....