mind p's and q's
p's and q's
noun
manners; behavior; conduct (usually preceded by mind or watch ): The children were told to mind their p's and q's.
Origin:
1770–80; perhaps from some children's difficulty in distinguishing the two letters
1770–80; perhaps from some children's difficulty in distinguishing the two letters
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To mind p's and q's
Collins
World English Dictionary
| p's and q's | |
| —pl n | |
| behaviour within social conventions; manners (esp in the phrase to mind one's p's and q's) | |
| [altered from p(lea)se and (than)k-you's] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Mind p's and q's
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
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