my math teacher wants to know, cuz we r studying rational root theorem and he had mentiond that phrase, find your peas and queues or sumthing like that, if u know what im talking please tell me cuz i dont know
2006-11-20 11:08:17 · 21 answers · asked by drunken_warrior 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
The phrase is "mind your p's and q's." It means to be careful and pay attention to detail. It comes from the old days when we used printing presses and the p's and q's looked similar and would often times get mixed up.
2006-11-20 11:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by happyha31 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What substitute into defined in school: P's = Priorities Q's = features continually keep in mind which you have "priorities" in existence, and the "features" of your character should assist you gain them... real answer is: Shortening for "Pints and Quarts", that have been the two important measurements for drinks. while now we use pints, a million/2 pints, pictures and so on, there was Pints and Quarts while issues have been given rowdy, as they have a tendency to do in pubs, you will generally pay attention something like "ideas your Pints and Quarts" and a warning or some such. this substitute into shortened to "ideas your P's and Q's
2016-11-25 21:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a term that comes from typesetting. Like in the old days when you used to layout a newspaper you had to put little metal letters into a box. You would run ink over the letters press a piece of paper onto the letters and presto you have a newspaper page. But the problem was that you had to put the letters in backwards so sometimes typesetters would confuse p's and q's because a backwards q looks like a p and vice versa.
2006-11-20 11:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by Martin H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In England in the old days, beers were sold by pints and quids. The bartender would keep track of what everybody drank on a board behind the bar. If someone got out of hand, the bartender would warn him by saying: Watch your P's and Q's. Meaning you've had too much to drink. Time to go home.
2006-11-20 11:12:28 · answer #4 · answered by MICHAEL R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have misquoted the phrase.
The phrase should be "mind your P's and Q's"
The expression comes from the practice of serving ale in measures of pints and quarts.
The excise (custom) men use to check whether the measures sold were short or not.
2006-11-20 11:12:32 · answer #5 · answered by ask this dummy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
EGAD! Oy! Vey!, also! "People who make puns should not be hanged , they should be drawn and quoted!"
The reference page discusses the Rational Root Theorem in terms of p and q, so "Find your p's and q's." has some meaning in this context, but it's still a groaner!
The person who miscoined this should remain forever anonymous!
2006-11-20 11:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the saying is mind your P's and q's ......In the days of sail when Sailors were paid a pittance, seamen drank their ale in taverns whose keepers were willing to extend credit until payday. Since many salts were illiterate, keepers kept a tally of pints and quarts consumed by each Sailor on a chalkboard behind the bar. Next to each person's name, a mark was made under "P" for pint or "Q" for quart whenever a seaman ordered another draught.
On payday, each seaman was liable for each mark next to his name, so he was forced to "mind his P's and Q's" or he would get into financial trouble. To ensure an accurate count by unscrupulous keepers, Sailors had to keep their wits and remain somewhat sober. Sobriety usually ensured good behavior, hence the meaning of "mind your P's and Q's."
2006-11-20 11:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's "Mind your ps and qs" and it has been the source of much speculation.
Some say it comes from the pub, where you need to pay attention to the amount of pints (p) and quarts (q) that you vend during the shift
It means makes sure you put the right quantity in the right place
2006-11-20 11:11:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Martin... my grampa was a printer, using a genuine printing press; he had trays of type, in various fonts & styles. He always moved slowly when picking out the letters to set in place for a project -- he didn't want to spill any &have to clean & sort a pile of letters. P's & Q's were especially tricky.
2006-11-20 11:45:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phrase is actually "mind your p's and q's". If I remember correctly, it is an Irish saying reminding the bar maids to remember how many "P"ints of ale and how many "Q"uarts of ale they have served and have been paid for by the patrons.
Hence, P's and Q's.
Hope this helps and good luck!
2006-11-20 11:13:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋