Did you know that the old saying, “mind your P’s and Q’s,” just might have something of a culinary origin? I always thought the saying meant to be aware of your manners, or that it had something to do with watching your spelling, but the last version I came across implied the saying’s roots had more to do with the drinking of beer!

According to the Urban Dictionary, “P’s and Q’s” is the verbal shortening for pints and quarts—the common measurement for beer in an English pub. When the crowd in a pub became a little unruly, it was common to hear “mind your P’s and Q’s,” shouted out from behind the bar. A bit of a friendly reminder, I suppose.

Filed Under: Culinary History