Queue. Expresses the French for a tail, like that of a periwig or peruke. In the sense of a line of people waiting outside the doors of a theatre the term has latterly become popular on both sides of the English Channel.
Quick Lunch. An American stand-up luncheon served with expedition.
Quicksilver. Living or moving silver. Quick is old English for “living”; hence “The Quick and the Dead.”
Quidnunc. One who is always inquiring after news. “What news?” is the literal interpretation of the term. As a personal designation, it originated in the name of the chief character in Murphy’s farce, “The Upholsterer, or What News?” A kind of political Paul Pry.
Quid of Tobacco. A corruption of “Cud,” because it is used for chewing. The allusion is to the cud chewed by ruminating animals.
Quids. The slang term for cash, properly restricted to gold. A sovereign is called a “Quid” in allusion to the Latin phrase, Quid pro quo, something of equal value, which change for a sovereign truly is.
Quill-driver. The popular designation of a clerk. Quill pens having been supplanted by those of steel, it is scarcely appropriate in our time.
Quinquagesima Sunday. The name given in the Church calendar to the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday or the commencement of Lent; approximately fifty days before Easter.
Quit Rent. A rental anciently paid by a tenant to a baron with a view of being relieved or quit of feudal service.
Quod. The slang term for prison; also “Quad.” See “[In Quad].”