Pylimitics

In the US, people “line up”, while in the UK, people “queue up”. But in 1837, Thomas Carlyle wrote: “That talent…of spontaneously standing in queue, distinguishes the French People.” The use of “queue” to mean a sequence of people waiting for their turn dates from the 1790s — in French. Carlyle’s quote from 1827 is the first citation of its use in English, and it apparently caught on. 

“Queue” was already an English word at the time. In the 1400s it meant a band of parchment wrapped around a letter to keep it rolled like a scroll. In the 1500s it meant the tail of a mythical beast (not any one in particular) used to decorate shields. 

Before people in the UK queued up, they got in lines. “Line” is a much older word, from Old English in fact. It comes from the Latin “linum,” meaning “flax.” Originally “line” meant flax that was spun into thread. “Linum” is also the source of “linen.” In that context, “line” meant a linen thread, the same as the Latin word “linea”. 

Over the centuries since the 600s, when it first appeared, “line” has been used to indicate a sequence of items that appear as if they’re on a string, no matter what the items might be. Its use to describe people dates at least to the 1600s, and may have been Shakespeare’s idea. He used it in Macbeth: “What will the Line stretch out to’ th’ cracke of Doome?” (He was talking about the ghosts of kings.)

Both “line” and “queue” are pretty versatile words. “Queue” has also meant a braid of hair, and is the original spelling of “pool cue.” 

Of course, there’s still some controversy about one aspect of “queue.” When you’re in line, and you text your friend to let them know where you are, do you spell it “queuing” or “queueing?” Both are correct, and there’s no indication about which is first in line. This is based on no less an authority than the virtual keyboard in your phone; it won’t autocorrect either one.