2006-06-27 00:40:41 · 6 answers · asked by Cynamin 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Be on your best behavior and be careful of your language.
There are various proposed explanations of this.
The most plausible are the notion that ale used to be ordered in either pints or quarts and you needed to be careful which you were given.
The fact that typesetters needed to be careful when setting type because the 'p's and 'q's looked similar seems a better explanation.
A third, from Melissa Shenker, is 'mind your pleases and thankyous'. This has the merit of being closer to the meaning of the phrase although the thankyous = thank 'q's stretches the imagination somewhat.
That's my answer and I am sticking to it !!!!
2006-06-27 17:22:24 · answer #1 · answered by pro_and_contra 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The origin of this expression, first recorded in 1779, is disputed. Among the more interesting theories advanced is that bartenders kept track of customers' consumption in terms of pints (p's) and quarts (q's) and the phrase referred to an honest accounting; that schoolchildren were taught to be careful in distinguishing the letters p and q; and that French dancing masters cautioned pupils about the correct performance of the figures pieds and queues (either abbreviated or mispronounced in English as p's and q's).
2006-06-27 07:46:33 · answer #2 · answered by eireblood2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In typesetting, the letters are backwards and it was very easy to confuse p and q since they are mirror images of each other. The expression means, "when you are looking at the letters backwards, make sure you pay close attention to detail". Imagine seeing "qeter qiqer qicked a qeck of qickled qeqqers" when someone was NOT minding their p's and q's in typesetting.
2006-06-27 14:43:53 · answer #3 · answered by Taivo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make an effort to speak, behave well, properly; refrain from using vulgar language.
p's and q's
pl.n.
1. Socially correct behavior; manners.
2. The way one acts; conduct: was told to watch his p's and q's.
2006-06-27 07:45:23 · answer #4 · answered by Unique 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a reminder for being polite by using (P)lease and Thank You (pronounced Than-Q). Hence Minding one's Ps and Qs is a reference to Using Please & Thank You.
2006-06-27 09:33:38 · answer #5 · answered by JustAskMe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pints and quarts
2006-06-27 07:43:53 · answer #6 · answered by CALLIE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋