Cheque Please - Restaurant?

Question

Why do we say it, I know to ask for the receipt on how much to pay, but why "cheque please", we are not asking for the cheque are we? I think it is been around for many many years maybe before cheques.

Or is it "check please", that go check how much i owe you?

Answer 1

Interesting observation.  There is even a TV show in Chicago which is about people critiquing different restaurants called "Check, please!"

Answer 2

Yeah I have wondered that myself. I would say that it should be "Can I have my BILL please?" It is more a bill rather than a check. Just one of those thing though that just don't make sense.