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View synonyms for p's and q's

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 )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of p's and q's1

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

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