2007-08-29 05:19:12 · 11 answers · asked by Donna A 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Pints and Quarts, as in a pub.
In other words, pay attention to your tab.
2007-08-29 05:22:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's an English Pub term - meaning pints and quarts. People would order a draft in either a pint or quart glass. The landlord would write the tab using lower case p and q. Since "p" and "q" are so similarly written, the landlord (and the customer) had to watch how the order was written on the tab.
Hence minding one's "p's" and "q's" meant - pay attention to details.
2007-08-29 05:25:01 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has come to mean, "mind your manners (be respectful) ... but originally, it stood for Pints and Quarts,the way the English buy ale in pubs....it was a warning to keep a close eye on the bar tab, for the more you drink, the more easily you are taken advantage of! So, as first intended, it means Check out the billing for accuracy, don't get overcharged.
2007-08-29 05:24:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
A quick search through the available literature shows that nobody really knows the answer to this question. While the theories here posted by others, and many unsaid, have been floated, the most likely answer is the simplest: that p and q are letters which are mirror images, and likely easily confused. Whether it arises from formal education, bartending, or printing is probably largely irrelevant as regardless of the location, the two letters are easily transposed.
2007-08-29 08:46:24 · answer #4 · answered by Tomteboda 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It comes from a saying that they used to say in the old pubs---mind your pints and quarts--because when they ordered it was written as either a "p" or "q" and it meant to pay attention to your order.
2007-08-29 05:28:27 · answer #5 · answered by shayshay7000 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It definitely means mind your pints and quarts
2007-08-29 06:14:30 · answer #6 · answered by madelblue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means "pints and quarts." it comes from an old bar saying.
2007-08-29 05:23:25 · answer #7 · answered by Kristi 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I always assumed it was Pleases and thanQs. The pints and quarts thing's probably right though.
2007-08-29 05:28:06 · answer #8 · answered by happy wife and mum 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The phrase "Mind your p's and q's" has it's origins in typesetting. The two lowercase letters could be difficult to differentiate for those who were making the typesetting plates, and were often interchanged.
2007-08-29 05:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by JenV 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
pints and quarts - really. email me if you want to know why
2007-08-29 05:25:10 · answer #10 · answered by Jack 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋