BRITISH ETIQUETTE: Ps AND Qs

Opinions differ as to the origin of the phrase, 'P's and Q's'. Some say that it was once shouted in pubs when things were getting a little rowdy, "Mind your Pints and Quarts!", these being the main measurements of drinks before the Second World War. Others say that it was an old printer's axiom; a reminder to typesetters to pay attention to the details.

Regardless of its origins, this admonition has been common in post-Victorian Britain as an abbreviation of 'to mind your manners' or, more specifically, to say both 'please' ('p's) and 'thank-you' ('thank-q's).

This is inevitably a child's very first introduction to all-important manners, and parents will soon weary of the mantra-like repetition of, 'Say please/thank-you!' every few minutes for the first five, ten or fifteen years of their child's existence.

In this case, the tedium of repetition is surely justified - a child who doesn't mind their ps and qs, the most basic of good manners, is being given a very poor start in life, especially in British society, where every single social transaction is eased by reiteration of these phrases.

Written by Victoria Overton

Native English Spain is dedicated to make learning English simple, fun and affordable for Spanish people.