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From: cq315@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Hank Walker)
Subject: Re: "mind your p's and q's"
Message-ID: <DnI5HE.IEB@freenet.carleton.ca>
Sender: cq315@freenet3.carleton.ca (Hank Walker)
Reply-To: cq315@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Hank Walker)
Organization: The National Capital FreeNet
References: <4gfriu$9mq$1@mhafc.production.compuserve.com> <0f34ucc60.alamito@young.wn.planet.gen.nz> <4h0s4k$rp9@riscsm.scripps.edu>
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 20:12:50 GMT
Lines: 17

Mark Israel (misrael@scripps.edu) writes:
> From the alt.usage.english FAQ:
> 
> # "mind your p's and q's"
> # -----------------------
> # 
> #    This expression, meaning "be very careful to behave correctly",
> # has been in use from the 17th century on.  Theories include:...

> # ... the substitution of /p/ for "qu" /kw/ in the
> # speech of uneducated ancient Romans;...

Neat. Isn't the word for water 'apa' or something close in Romanian?
pronounced [ap@]?

--
      hank.          "a lack of restraint is a sign of weakness."
