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Mind your p's and q's |
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There are many theories about the origins of the phrase “Mind your Ps and Qs”. Today it normally means “mind your manners”, but what did it mean originally? No one really knows where it came from but here are a few of the better theories.
One theory is that “mind your P’s and Q’s” is related to the pints and quarts served at bars. Many bars and pubs traditionally kept track of customer tabs on a large slate board, adding up the P’s and Q’s at the end of the night. A smart customer would keep an eye on his or her P’s and Q’s, to ensure that the bartender was not fudging the numbers.
Another theory is that when children are first learning to write they often confuse the lower case “p” and “q” thus prompting the teachers admonition to “Mind your p’s and q’s”. Personally, my biggest challenge with this was one day in kindergarten when I was absolutely sure that the number three was written “ ”. I went on to be a math major in college.
My favorite theory is that it came from the early days of printing. Letterpresses use type called Type sorts (individual pieces) that are a mirror image of the letter they print. They’re set upside down in the composing stick, so it’s a very easy to confuse them when setting or dissing type (putting sorts back into the type case). This would prompt the Master Printer to reprimand the Printer’s Devil to “Mind your p’s and q’s”.
So, now it’s time for a pop quiz!
QUESTION:
In the above image the letters p, q, b and d. Which is which.
ANSWER:
Still not sure? Welcome to the world of Letterpress type. Try reading the answer in a mirror. |
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| by
Bruce Wiggins
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www.usprintingseattle.com
"Making duplicate copies and computer printouts of things no one wanted even one of in the first place is giving America a new sense of purpose." Andy Rooney |
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 09 / 2010
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