Neil 要做一個重要的演講，但是菲菲為什麼提醒他要特別注意字母 「P」 和 「Q」 呢？聽節目，學習短語 「mind your p’s and q’s」——它可以提醒我們在正式場合要注意禮節。
Feifei
So, tonight’s the night, Neil. How do you feel?
Neil
A bit nervous, but mostly excited. I』ve been practising my speech all morning.
Feifei
Just go out there, smile, and don’t forget: mind your p’s and q’s!
Neil
Eh? I know how to spell, Feifei.
Feifei
You know what I mean!
Neil
Don’t worry! I won’t offend anyone.
Feifei
這集 「地道英語」 節目裡，我們要教大家如何使用表達 「mind your p’s and q’s」。當我們告訴一個人 「mind your p’s and q’s」 的時候，我們實際是在告訴這個人要注意禮貌，注意自己的言談舉止。
Neil
Feifei, I’m always on my best behaviour. Now, let me practise my speech.
Feifei
And I』ll play some examples.
Examples
Gang, Gang, Gang! How many times have I told you to mind your p’s and q’s when you’re with your grandparents? Grandma doesn't like that kind of language!
Last week’s meeting with our new clients was super frustrating. But I had to mind my p’s and q’s. As they say, the customer’s always right!
Lan always says the first thing that comes into her head. I just hope she minds her p’s and q’s at lunch today.
Feifei
這裡是 BBC英語教學的 「地道英語」 節目。在這集節目中，我們教給大家的表達是 「mind your p’s and q’s」。So Neil, finished practising your speech?
Neil
Not yet. I』ve been distracted by today’s phrase. I』ve been looking it up online.
Feifei
And?
Neil
Nobody agrees where it came from. There’re so many theories. One is that printers back in the 19th Century used to get confused between the small letters p and q.
Feifei
They do look similar! So they had to mind their ps and qs. Makes sense.
Neil
And there’s another about bartenders in 17th Century England. They used to serve beer in measures called pints and quarts. Pints with a 『P』 and quarts with a 『Q』. When a customer was drinking too much…
Feifei
… They were told to mind their pints and quarts? Their p’s and q’s? Yes, makes sense too.
Neil
And there’s another…
Feifei
Neil?
Neil
Yes?
Feifei
Your speech is in one hour. Shouldn’t you be practising?
Neil
Oh! So it is.
Feifei
And… Mind your p’s and q’s!
Neil
OK, bye!
Feifei
Bye.
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