A quick Google search dug this link up for me: http://www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-ont2.htm
This is what the site had to say:
"According to Robert Hendrickson, in The Facts on File
Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, the first reference
is from a British ballad of 1870, which contained the line
"Whatever I tell you is on the QT". It seems to have been
just an abbreviated spelling, using the first and last
letters of the word quiet, the mild obfuscation also
suggesting a meaning for the expression. The Oxford English
Dictionary has a first sighting from 1884:
"It will be possible to have one spree on the strict q.t.".
Mr Hendrickson points out that it also occurs in a famous
London ditty of 1891, sung by Lottie Collins, which which
also introduced the famous chorus line
"Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay":
A sweet Tuxedo girl you see, Queen of swell society, Fond of
fun as fun can be, When it's on the strict Q.T.
According to Robert Hendrickson, in The Facts on File
Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, the first reference
is from a British ballad of 1870, which contained the line
"Whatever I tell you is on the QT". It seems to have been
just an abbreviated spelling, using the first and last
letters of the word quiet, the mild obfuscation also
suggesting a meaning for the expression. The Oxford English
Dictionary has a first sighting from 1884:
"It will be possible to have one spree on the strict q.t.".
Mr Hendrickson points out that it also occurs in a famous
London ditty of 1891, sung by Lottie Collins, which which
also introduced the famous chorus line
"Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay":
A sweet Tuxedo girl you see, Queen of swell society, Fond of
fun as fun can be, When it's on the strict Q.T."
Hope this helps.
Best, Nick
----- Original Message ----- From: <
BaxDeal@aol.com> To: <
rara-avis@icomm.ca> Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003
12:52 AM Subject: RARA-AVIS: "On the Q.T."
> what exactly does this expression mean? what do the
initials stand for?
> where did it come from?
>
> thanks
>
> John Lau
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