2007-01-09 06:58:28 · 14 answers · asked by Debbie 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The old saying “watch your p’s and q’s” means much the same thing nowadays. We know it means to watch our behavior, to be socially correct, to have decorum, observe etiquette and form and mind our manners.
2007-01-10 08:13:10 · answer #1 · answered by Missy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it potential to be careful and meticulous (like dotting your i's and crossing your t's). i think of it refers back to the reality that a p and a q could be puzzled if one attracts them backwards. I do this each and all the time--while i'm writing quite speedy, I generally combination up p, g and q via fact they're all actually a circle with an prolonged tail, in basic terms haha. desire that helps. Cheers! :)
2016-12-12 07:48:59 · answer #2 · answered by motato 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This goes back to Ye Olde England! Ps and Qs refers to pints and quarts of ale. When people started getting rowdy in the old English taverns the barkeep would remind the patrons to mind their Ps and Qs, ei. to not drink more than they could hold without incurring in bad behavior. The meaning carried over to mean an admonition whenever anyone is being disrespectful or unruly.
2007-01-09 07:08:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means to watch what you say.
It's actually pub language from England. At the end of the night, when they were going to call Last Call, rather than flash they lights, they told people to "mind their pints and quarts" which has since been reduced to "mind your p's and q's".
2007-01-09 07:05:35 · answer #4 · answered by Phillip 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Literally, it is an old Irish pub saying that means "Mind your pints and quarts". (Your p's and q's). It's a way of saying watch your manners, especially in a social setting.
2007-01-09 07:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by FelixtheCat 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Watch your language
2007-01-09 07:01:49 · answer #6 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You better watch out!
2007-01-13 05:04:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It kind of means watch what you say and don't say. Be polite and don't be so snoopy to someone, or intrusive to someone. Mind your manners when speaking.
2007-01-09 07:02:42 · answer #8 · answered by Jules 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means watch what you say, but it came from the printing press, with each little metal letter being dropped into place. I imagine p&q and b&d were tricky!
2007-01-09 07:06:19 · answer #9 · answered by marie 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
it came from bars, when the customers get rowdy or start a brawl, he hollers "mind your pints an quarts!" which evolved into "Mind your P's and Q's!"
basically means mind your manners or behave.
good luck :)
2007-01-09 07:07:32 · answer #10 · answered by allisonaddicted 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋