p's and q's

noun

1. manners; behavior; conduct (usually preceded by mind or watch ):

   The children were told to mind their p's and q's.

p's and q's

plural noun

1. behaviour within social conventions; manners (esp in the phrase to mind one's p's and q's )

Word History and Origins

Origin of p's and q's¹

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps from some children's difficulty in distinguishing the two letters

Word History and Origins

Origin of p's and q's¹

altered from p ( lea ) se and ( than ) k-you's