Qui pro quo

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The term qui pro quo denotes a mix-up of people, for example as a suspenseful element in a play, and alludes to a typo (“qui” instead of “quo”). However, the term not only describes the mix-up itself, but also the situation that can arise from it.

Qui pro quo should not be confused with the legal principle quid pro quo . The latter corresponds to the economic principle that a person who uses (gives) something should receive an appropriate return service. The Latin proverbs manus manum lavat (“One hand washes the other”) and do ut des (“I give so you give”) have a comparable meaning .

See also