Usage

lpq - spool queue examination program

lpq requests a status report on the specified printers or jobs. lpq invoked without any arguments reports on the printer given by the default printer.

taurus[36]% lpq
HPLaserJet is ready
no entries
taurus[37]%

Or the more interesting case when there is something in the queue.

taurus[37]% lpq
HPLaserJet is ready and printing
Rank    Owner   Job     File(s)                         Total Size
active  dan     180     windoze.txt                     3072 bytes
taurus[38]% 

-P printer

Again the -P flag is supported to optionaly specify a printer