The origin of "minding your ps and qs" give is one of several that are proposed in dictionaries of hrase origins. There is no provable origin so far.

   I like interesting facts that aren't facts. 2 exx.

   1. Originally, "the survival of the fittest"(Henry Spencer) did NOT mean 'the survival of the strongest'

Originally, he meant 'the survival of the most fit",that is, the most appropriate, as in 'most fit for the purpose', which , in some circumstances coulf mean the weakest surviving.

Those stalks that are the stiffest will break before those that bend with the wind.


   2. Dr.Guillotin invcented the guillotine.

   Actually, it was invented by a mechanic called Schmidt under the direction of Dr.Antonin Louise,hence it was at first called a 'Louison' or 'Louisette'.



    Ivor