Queue area facts for kids
A queue is a line of people waiting for something. They stand one behind the other. The person at the front of the line gets their turn first. Then the next person goes, and so on.
When you join a queue, you must go to the very back. You wait there until it is your turn. Sometimes, people try to "jump the queue" or "push in." This is usually not allowed. They are often told to go to the back of the line.
The word "queue" comes from the French word for "tail." But in English, we say it like "kyoo." Think of "Kew" in "Kew Gardens." The word "queue" can be a noun, like "Please stand in the queue." It can also be a verb, like "Please queue over there."
Queues are not just for people. You can also see a queue of vehicles. They might be waiting to pass a certain spot. Or they could be waiting to enter a place.
Contents
Why Do People Queue?
People queue for many reasons. They might wait to be served in a shop. They could queue for a bus or taxi. Many people queue to enter places like a museum. Waiting in a queue is much fairer than pushing your way in.
Ticket Systems in Queues
In some busy places, a lot of people might be queueing. These places often use a system of numbered tickets. When you arrive, you take a ticket with a number. Then you wait until your number appears on a display screen.
This system is common in many places. You might see it in banks or at a doctor's office. It is also used in passport offices. This way, everyone knows their turn without standing in a physical line.
Different Kinds of Waiting Lines
People waiting in a queue are not always standing. For example, some people might be waiting for an operation. They are "in a queue" for surgery. They wait until the hospital sends them a letter. This letter tells them when to come in for their operation.
Queues Around the World
In Russia, people used to tell many jokes about queues. This was during the time of the Soviet Union. There were often not many goods in the shops. When a shop received new items, a very long queue would quickly form. People sometimes joined a queue even if they did not know what it was for! If they bought something they did not want, they could always sell it later.
Perhaps the most famous queue in Britain is for the BBC Proms. These are classical concerts. People queue for "promenade tickets," which are standing places. People in the queue often enjoy chatting with each other. Those at the front of the queue get to choose the best spot to stand for the concert.
Words Related to Queue
The word "queue" does not have many word families. However, it has many words that mean similar things. These are called synonyms. Some synonyms for queue are:
- Chain
- Line
- Row
- Series
It only has two words that mean the opposite. These are called antonyms. The antonyms for queue are:
- Disorder
- Disorganized
Images for kids
-
Queue of visitors to the Louvre
-
A queue area at a food store in New York City.
-
People lined up when boarding a suburban bus in Prague.
-
Commuters at Osaka Station waiting to board a train. Queues for specific trains are marked by color-coded lines on the platform.
-
Waiting number ticket from the main post office of Prague 5 district, Czech Republic. The tickets contains a specification "Letter services – mass submits" and counters No. 8 and 9 which can deal with such a requirement.
