1. cue、ラテン語のquando（いつ）から、PIE*kwa（疑問詞語幹）から、語源はwhen、how、whatと同じ。2. pool cue、queue（尾）から。
英語の語源
cue
cue: Cue has several meanings in English, and it is not clear whether they can all be considered to be the same word. In the case of ‘pigtail’ and ‘billiard stick’, both of which appeared in the 18th century, cue is clearly just a variant spelling of queue, but although cue ‘actor’s prompt’ [16] has been referred by some to the same source (on the grounds that it represents the ‘tail’ – from French queue ‘tail’ – of the previous actor’s speech) there is no direct evidence for this.
Another suggestion is that it represents qu, an abbreviation of Latin quando ‘when’ which was written in actor’s scripts to remind them when to come in. => queue
cue (v.)
1928, from cue (n.1). Related: Cued, cueing.
cue (n.1)
"stage direction," 1550s, from Q, which was used 16c., 17c. in stage plays to indicate actors' entrances, probably as an abbreviation of Latin quando "when" (see quandary) or a similar Latin adverb. Shakespeare's printed texts have it as both Q and cue.
cue (n.2)
"billiard stick," 1749, variant of queue (n.). Cue ball first recorded 1881.
例文
1. That was Nicholas 's cue to ask for another chocolate chip cookie.
それはニコラスがチョコレートクッキーをもう1枚欲しがっていることを示している。
2.That was the cue for several months of intense bargaining.
それは数ヶ月間の激しい交渉が始まったことを意味します。
3.Kevin arrived right on cue to care for Harry.
ケビンが着いたのはちょうど良い時で、Harryの世話をすることができます。
4.Jon 's arrival was a cue for more champagne.
ジョアンが来ると、シャンパンをもっと飲むことを意味します。
5.When she coughs，it 's my cue to come onto the stage.