2006-08-28 12:47:40 · 7 answers · asked by Loved By Someone Above 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
From old english/scottish bars. 'P's are pints, and 'Q's are quarts, which is how ale was served. When the bar was about to close, the bartender would announce "mind your p's and q's" to inform the patrons go get thier last fill.
2006-08-28 12:53:22 · answer #1 · answered by dcpacker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ale was once served in Pints and Quarts. You had to be careful not to order the wrong size.
2006-08-28 19:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pints and quarts...as in going to the store and telling the clerk to give you a full measure of what you were buying.
2006-08-28 19:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Various sources define p's and q's as 'manners; behavior; conduct'; and define minding them as watching your step, being careful or polite. The earliest citation recorded for this use in the OED (1779), "You must mind your P's and Q's with him, I can tell you," expressed the need for careful behavior in the face of potential criticism ...or worse. "
Heck, if the OED says that...
2006-08-28 23:18:03 · answer #4 · answered by Suzy1B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told back in the day when newsprinters would store their letters, the "p" and the "q" symbol were the same one, simply turned upside down...so you had to take care when type-setting the papers.
2006-08-28 19:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by rachprime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
p-pints
q-quarts
something about a pub
2006-08-28 19:50:45 · answer #6 · answered by didleydoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SLANG FOR WATCH WHAT YOU SAY & MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS IRISH
2006-08-28 21:01:03 · answer #7 · answered by Penney S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋