Write That Wrong: Cue vs. Queue
By: Toni Harrison
My grandmother, Lullelia W. Harrison, was a paragon of eloquence. As the Texas State Historical Association describes, “As a civil rights activist, Harrison helped tear down racial barriers and was also known for her dynamic and eloquent speaking.”
Her dedication to precise grammar and pronunciation set a high bar for me. I can still hear her saying, “The word is pronounced thē, not thuh. And it’s pronounced ā, like the letter, not uh.” Her voice, always clear and commanding, resonates with me even today.
As the CEO of Etched, an award-winning public relations and crisis communication agency, I find myself frequently drawing on the lessons she taught me. From my early days as a television journalist to my current role, her emphasis on excellence has been a guiding force. Our commitment to client service and quality at Etched is a testament to the standards she set.
Growing up, I didn’t always appreciate the rigor with which she corrected me. If I mispronounced a word, she would gently insist, “Thuh is not a word.” And when asked to “please repeat the sentence correctly,” there was no option but to comply.
Once, during a karaoke night with friends, I became the subject of amusement. They found it hilarious that I couldn’t mispronounce the lyrics, even when they were incorrect in the song. We all laughed even harder when I instinctively sang Gotye’s hit, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” with proper grammar: “Now you’re just somebody who I used to know.”
Today, these lessons may seem strict, but they’ve instilled in me a respect for language and its nuances. It’s true: the word is thē, not thuh.
Cue vs. Queue
Two words often confused are cue and queue. They may sound identical, but they differ greatly in meaning and usage. My grandmother would have found it tricky to correct me if I mixed them up in speech.
Queue refers to a line or sequence of people or vehicles waiting their turn. It’s a term frequently used in British English but less so in the U.S. Examples include, “My friend is in the queue for refreshments,” or “Taxis are lined up in a queue at the airport.”
On the other hand, cue can mean a signal prompting an action. For instance, “When the music starts, it’s his cue to get on stage,” or “The actress took her cue from the director.” There’s also the pool cue, a stick used in the game of billiards. Interestingly, this term was derived from queue in the 1600s.
At Etched, we’ve created the “Write That Wrong” series to help professionals navigate the often tricky waters of grammar and pronunciation. We aim to empower you to “write” common wrongs.
The Challenge of English
It’s often said that English is one of the most challenging languages to learn, especially as a second language. Even native speakers find it difficult to master its complexities. In fact, research from the British Council suggests that English has a rich history of borrowing words from other languages, which contributes to its complexity.
This not only explains why there are so many lessons in our “Write That Wrong” queue, but it also cues our digital content manager to prepare next week’s content. Check back on Wednesdays for more tips to help you improve your communication skills.
