Do you trust a candidate who still needs cue cards when explaining his platforms?Īnother denotative meaning of the technical term cue is in games of pool and billiards.These cards give direction to actors unseen by the audience–for example: Actors, news reporters, and other people on television use these to remember their lines and gestures at the precise time. Q used to mean Quando, meaning when.Ĭue is also in the word cue card.

The meaning originated in 16th and 17th-century theater. When the lights turn on, that’s your cue to shout your line.In her 30 years of acting, the actress never missed a cue.Because of its use in the performing arts, the word has carried over to television and the big screen–for example: One of its additional meanings is a sign that actors receive when they’re about to do something onstage at the proper time. You’ll also hear the word cue in theaters. Smaller banks obtain their cue from the Federal bank.And that’s my cue to share why I’m right in front of you.The noun can also mean a hint, encouragement, or suggestion–for example: The proper meaning of cue is a stimulus that leads to action. Homophones like ant and aunt or aye and eye or, in this case, cue and queue can be tricky. Both these homophones are often used with up-cue up meaning prepare something to start on cue, and queue up, meaning get in line. As a verb, queue means get in line or place in line.