# What do the letters SQ stand for on a menu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660 "2006-03-16T22:11:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![geoffj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@geoffj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geoffj)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/1 "2006-03-16T22:11:03Z")
When the price for a particular item on the menu changes more rapidly than they’d like to print menus, the price is listed as SQ, which basically means ask someone. Does anyone know what these letters stand for? It’s driving me crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/2 "2006-03-16T22:16:54Z")
I’ve never seen it on a menu. Perhaps it’s something like “subject to quantity” i.e. seasonal pricing. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/3 "2006-03-16T22:18:29Z")
Can you find an online example of this? The only usages I’m able to find online refer to the square inches of the food you’re getting (e.g., a pizza). Daniel ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/4 "2006-03-16T22:23:31Z")
Never seen “SQ”, although I have seen “MP”, meaning “Market Price” esp for fish/lobster. ---
**Author:** ![6\_6\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e0b2c6/32.png) [@6\_6\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6_6_6)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/5 "2006-03-16T22:29:38Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Can you find an online example of this? I could only Google these [South African Oysters](http://www.restaurants.co.za/menus/vilamoura.htm). I’ve never come across the term before. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/6 "2006-03-16T22:31:43Z")
The closest thing I can find on [Acronym Finder](http://www.acronymfinder.com/af-query.asp?acronym=sq&string=exact&s=r&page=2) that makes any sense at all is “Subject to Quotation”, perhaps as in a price quote. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/7 "2006-03-16T22:32:08Z")
Seasonal Quote? (WAG) ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/8 "2006-03-16T22:32:37Z")
I found one example (only one that come up from my search) [http://www.dining-out.co.za/member\_menu.asp?MemberID=2319](http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_menu.asp?MemberID=2319) where the SQ comes after certain seafood items. It seems to be a rather upscale italian place, or at least a very expensive one. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/9 "2006-03-16T22:49:15Z")
Subject to Quantity? (avalible this day) Maybe for seafood restaurants. Just a guess. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/10 "2006-03-16T23:01:33Z")
I was thinking it was similar to MP (market price), maybe “Seasonal Quote” (oysters would fit this description), but that doesn’t seem to jibe w/ the all the examples in the link posted by Antinor01. I dunno’. ---
**Author:** ![6\_6\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e0b2c6/32.png) [@6\_6\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6_6_6)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/11 "2006-03-16T23:23:48Z")
I notice that my link in post #5 and **Antinor01** ’s link in post #8 are both to South African sites. **geoffj** ’s profile shows him/her to be in Cape Town. Maybe this is an exclusively South African feature? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/12 "2006-03-16T23:30:57Z")
> [@6 6 6](#): > > I notice that my link in post #5 and **Antinor01** ’s link in post #8 are both to South African sites. **geoffj** ’s profile shows him/her to be in Cape Town. Maybe this is an exclusively South African feature? Good catch, I didn’t see that. I wonder if it’s from afrikaans or zulu maybe? I tried to find a way to translate it but everything I found were paid translation sites. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/13 "2006-03-17T00:45:05Z")
The South African newspapers [Sunday Times](http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/01/13/lifestyle/life02.asp) and [The Star](http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=312217) both seem to think that it means “Subject to Quotation” (as **Q.E.D.** found) or perhaps “Seasonal Quotation”, then go on to claim that it _ought_ to mean “Stupid Question” or “Scary Quotation”, the implication being that if you have to ask the price, you probably can’t afford the item in question. ---
**Author:** ![6\_6\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e0b2c6/32.png) [@6\_6\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6_6_6)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/14 "2006-03-17T09:32:34Z")
> [@Antonius Block](#): > > … [Sunday Times](http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/01/13/lifestyle/life02.asp) and [The Star](http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=312217) … Nice articles; well found! I wonder if **geoffj** will ever update us? ---
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/15 "2006-03-17T09:59:21Z")
> [@Antonius Block](#): > > The South African newspapers [Sunday Times](http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/01/13/lifestyle/life02.asp) and [The Star](http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=312217) both seem to think that it means “Subject to Quotation” (as **Q.E.D.** found) or perhaps “Seasonal Quotation”, then go on to claim that it _ought_ to mean “Stupid Question” or “Scary Quotation”, the implication being that if you have to ask the price, you probably can’t afford the item in question. “Stupid Question” or “Scary Quotation” may apply to most of the items listed but in the link posted by **6 6 6** the Cheese Platter has SQ listed next to it. How expensive can cheese and crackers be? ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/16 "2006-03-17T13:41:45Z")
> [@mittu](#): > > How expensive can cheese and crackers be? Actually quite expensive. I was at a restaurant that has a reputation for their wine cellar and cheeses. Spent a small fortune there.😉 ---
**Author:** ![geoffj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/919ad9/32.png) [@geoffj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geoffj)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/17 "2006-03-17T18:37:08Z")
> [@Antonius Block](#): > > The South African newspapers [Sunday Times](http://www.suntimes.co.za/2002/01/13/lifestyle/life02.asp) and [The Star](http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=312217) both seem to think that it means “Subject to Quotation” … Thanks for that - although neither the Star nor The Sunday Times have ever been reliable sources in my opinion, consensus sells me. I do come from South Africa, where this abbreviation is common in pricier restaurants. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen it internationally, but perhaps I don’t eat so well when abroad. If I’d have realised it was a local term I might have checked local newspapers and saved you all some time. Thanks again. Geoff ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/18 "2006-03-17T18:57:37Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > Actually quite expensive. I was at a restaurant that has a reputation for their wine cellar and cheeses. Spent a small fortune there.😉 Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if the prices of artisanal cheeses are variable - if the cheese is only made in some tiny little valley in Italy, and the weather wasn’t good, then the price might go up because of reduced quantity. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2006, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-letters-sq-stand-for-on-a-menu/348660/19 "2006-03-17T19:59:57Z")
> [@geoffj](#): > > If I’d have realised it was a local term I might have checked local newspapers and saved you all some time. No apologies necessary. People here are generally pleased just to learn something they didn’t know previously, no matter how obscurely provincial. 🙂