Mind your P’s and Q’s
This was the very first “English Corner” that appeared in the 3rd October 2008 issue of AWOL, and is republished here as both a nod to the past and part of our pre-launch testing. The image is a new addition.
An expression with several origin stories, but its meaning is to pay attention to details. This expression has often been translated as “mind your manners” or “mind your pleases and thank yous.” It is possible that the expression is an abbreviated term for minding one’s manners as well, shortening pleases to p and thank yous to q, for the sake of a familiar expression.
The favoured origin story of “mind your Ps and Qs” comes from English pubs and taverns of the seventeenth century. Bartenders would keep a watch on the alcohol consumption of the patrons; keeping an eye on the pints and quarts that were consumed. As a reminder to the patrons, the bartender would recommend they “mind their Ps and Qs.”
