I hear that often, what does it mean?
Does P & Q stand for something?
2007-01-11 10:29:44 · 12 answers · asked by Eclipse 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
it stands for 'pints and quarts'. from either english or irish pubs. watch your p's and q's means someone is walking by so watch your glass of beer so it won't spill.
2007-01-11 10:33:26 · answer #1 · answered by drunkinpoet 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Back in the day when the newspapers were printed all letters were placed by hand by typesetters... the letters were kept in 2 cases... an upper and a lower. The larger letters were in the upper case... and the smaller letters were in the lower case...
Now, in order for the words to be printed properly the letters were backwards on the block, like a stamp, so that when ink was applied it would print the proper way. This is where the mind your "p's and q's" came from, since they are the same forwards and backwards as eachother!! Also, where the phrases "upper" and "lower" case comes from.
2007-01-11 18:41:17 · answer #2 · answered by wingnutrosie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The English women used that phrase when the man of the house would leave for the pub (bar). You see, ale (beer) is sold by the Pint or Quart in england's pubs.
2007-01-11 18:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England, when people in the bar would get too rowdy and hard to handle, the bartender would tell them to "mind their pints and quarts" of beer, or else they'd be thrown out of the bar.
2007-01-11 18:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by Charlie Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
P's and Q's stands for mind your Pints and Quarts from taverns and bars and such places....
2007-01-11 18:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by Alex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is English pub talk.. It means mind your "pints and quarts". It was uddered during closing time.
2007-01-11 18:33:32 · answer #6 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just means to stay on your best behavior. I'm not sure if Ps and Qs stand for anything or not. It's an etiquette thing.
2007-01-11 18:33:24 · answer #7 · answered by quatrapiller 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mind your manners...no the p and q doesnt stand for anything,this saying has been around since the 1800's.
2007-01-11 18:35:19 · answer #8 · answered by BULL 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
from England... mind your Pints and Quarts... ale was served in either a pint or a quart.
2007-01-11 18:33:50 · answer #9 · answered by bilko_ca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply, to mind your manners and behave appropriately....
Apparently "P & Q" has no real meaning though....
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031127.html
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/psandqs.htm
2007-01-11 18:34:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋