Chapter Queen's Weather to Quicksilver of Q by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

previous (or latter question), and if it be resolved in the negative, the Speaker is prevented from putting the main question, as the House has refused to allow it to be put. It may, however, be brought forward again another day.”
   Of course this is correct, but what it means is quite another matter; and why “the main question” is called the “previous question” is past understanding
   Question. When members of the House of Commons or other debaters call out Question, they mean that the person speaking is wandering away from the subject under consideration.

Questionists In the examinations for degrees in the University of Cambridge it was customary, at the beginning of the January term, to hold “Acts,” and the candidates for the Bachelor's degree were called “Questionists.” They were examined by a moderator, and afterwards the fathers of other colleges “questioned” them for three hours- i.e. one whole hour and parts of two others. (I began my Act about a quarter to eleven and finished about half-past one.) It was held altogether in Latin, and the words of dismissal uttered by the Regius Professor indicated what class you would be placed in, or whether the respondent was plucked, in which case the words were simply “Descendas domine.”

Questions and Commands A Christmas game, in which the commander bids his subjects to answer a question which is asked. If the subject refuses, or fails to satisfy the commander, he must pay a forfeit or have his face smutted.

“While other young ladies in the house are dancing, or playing at questions and commands, she [the devotee] reads aloud in her closet.”- The Spectator, No. 354 (Hotspur's Letter), April 16, 1712.

Queubus The equinoctial of Queubus. This line has Utopia on one side and Medamothi on the other. It was discovered on the Greek Kalends by Outis after his escape from the giant's cave, and is ninety-one degrees from the poles.

“Thou wast in very gracious fooling last night, when thou spokest of Pigrogromitus, the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus. `Twas very good, i' faith.”- Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, ii. 3.

Queue Gare la queue des Allemands. Before you quarrel, count the consequences. (See Querelle .)

Queux The seneschal of King Arthur.

Quey Calves are dear Veal Quey calves are female calves, which should be kept and reared for cows. Calves for the butcher are generally bull calves. The proverb is somewhat analogous to killing the goose which lays the golden egg. (Danish quie, a heifer.)

Qui To give a man the qui. When a man in the printing business has had notice to quit, his fellow- workmen say they “have given him the qui.” Here qui is the contraction of quietus (discharge). (See Quietus .)

Qui s'Excuse, s'Accuse He who apologises condemns himself.

Qui-Tam A lawyer; so called from the first two words in an action on a penal statute. Qui tam pro dominâ Regi'nâ, quam pro se-ipso, sequitur (Who sues on the Queen's account as much as or his own).

Qui Vive? (French). Who goes there? The challenge of a sentinel.
   To be on the qui vive. On the alert; to be quick and sharp; to be on the tip-toe of expectation, like a sentinel. (See above.)

Quia Emptores A statute passed in the reign of Edward I., and directed against the formation of new manors, whereby feudal lords were deprived of their dues. It is so called from its first two words.

Quibble An evasion; a juggling with words, is the Welsh chwibiol (a trill), and not the Latin quid libet (what you please), as is generally given.

Quick Living; hence animated, lively; hence fast, active, brisk (Anglo-Saxon, cwic, living, alive). Our expression, “Look alive,” means Be brisk.
   Quick at meat, quick at work. In French, “Bonne bête s'échauffe en mangeant,”