Q

n

1a.

a geriatric person

1b.

a hospital patient

1c.

a corpse

2.

All senses of the term are based on the image of the capital letter Q as represent-ing an open mouth with lolling tongue and seem to have originated in the slang of North American health carers. The let-ter may be written (in notes, on charts, etc.) or pronounced by medical staff.