At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to watch the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in pints and who was drinking in quarts.
Hence the term minding your "P's and Q's."
Hello Sally,
ReplyDeleteOk, maybe I'm not familiar with such an expression since it is not common here. But what interests mewas the barmaid's job. My! What a job :-) Oh, my mind is thinking of a pub with lots of drinking customers LOL
Mizpah,
Li
That is not a job for me. I would be too busy talking to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteBecky K.
Sally, thanks for the lesson. I did not know that. My Dad always told me to learn something new everyday. Well, today I have.
ReplyDeleteI always love hearing where expressions have come from. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend.♥
Ok Sally... I knew the saying Mind your P's & Q's... It must be a baby boomer saying. And surprisingly I knew what it meant... BUT I love your Expressions Explained series! Have a great day!!!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Donna
Very interesting. I didn't know this.
ReplyDeleteHow neat...I had no idea! Hope your doing well, Sally!
ReplyDeleteAnother great one!
ReplyDeleteI'll be darned!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading this series, Sally. Thanks for the postings.
ReplyDeleteI really have enjoyed this series, Sally. Thanks for posting them.
ReplyDeleteWow---i didn't know that either Sally.... I love your posts on interesting expressions and how they got their names.... Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Hi Sally! I wanted to check in and see how you were doing after your surgery! I have thought of you and you've been in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;0
Neat! How hard it must be to know when customers had drunk everything, because it wasn't in glasses, was it.
ReplyDeleteCindy
I grew up in a printing community and was taught that "mind your p's and q's referred to the days of set type. Remember, they are backwards.
ReplyDeletehmmm...I am familiar with the saying, but not with it's origin.I love learning this kind of trivia.Very fun,Sally...Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeletewow, I learned something new today! Thanks!
ReplyDelete