P's and Q's

Did you know, where the terms Minding your P's and Q's began?:

When I would visit my grandmother’s 1720’s home in Barnstable there were noticeable hash marks carved in the beams of the front parlor. Upon questioning why the marks were there it was pointed out that on one beam there was also a letter “p” and another beam accompanying hash marks was the letter “q”. This early American home had also served as a tavern, the hash marks were to keep track of the beverages consumed/sold. “P” designating pints and “Q” designating quarts, and this early bar-keeping accounting system is believed to be where the term minding your p’s and q’s began, with reference to a landlord not getting these measures mixed up on a customer’s account. It’s easy to see how this would be a good thing to mind



By: Karen Ross-Riquinha
Lighthouse Inn Reservations Manager