# Hey Brits, do you still say "how do you do?"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [August 9, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040 "2003-08-09T16:18:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2003, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/1 "2003-08-09T16:18:03Z")
Just a quick poll. Sounds about a century out of date to me, but I want to check with you guys before I say so.
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### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/2 "2003-08-09T16:29:23Z")
My grandfather still says it - he’s 88.
I very occasionally say it (I’m a 30something), either ironically, or in extremely formal settings, while shaking hands.
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### Author:  [@Jabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jabba)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2003, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/3 "2003-08-09T16:35:32Z")
I still say it. “Pleased to meet you” is probably more common, but is frowned upon in certain circles.
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### Author:  [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/4 "2003-08-09T19:25:52Z")
I’ve never said it and don’t know anyone who does.
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [August 9, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/5 "2003-08-09T19:34:57Z")
I say it regularly, as do many of the people I see on a daily basis. Quite contemporary and useful. Of course, I’m not a Brit.
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### Author:  [@speckfisher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/speckfisher)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/6 "2003-08-10T02:19:29Z")
I’m not a Brit either, but I say it all of the time, or at least as often as I say “Pleased to meet you”. Most often I will use the abbreviated “howdy” or even “How do?”
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### Author:  [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/7 "2003-08-10T02:21:53Z")
I some times say “how are you?” but never HDYD.
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### Author:  [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/8 "2003-08-10T04:32:01Z")
It’s useful in a formal situation, or if addressing an older person.
As a teacher, I try to keep up to date with the language of teenagers. Currently I use ‘How’s it hanging, dude?’ quite a lot.
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/9 "2003-08-10T04:48:28Z")
Yeah, I’m going to try _that_ out at my first meeting Monday.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/10 "2003-08-10T07:22:22Z")
Count me as one who says it.
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### Author:  [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/11 "2003-08-10T09:38:01Z")
I should point out that in the old-fashioned usage it’s usually pronounced to “howdjedo”.
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### Author:  [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/12 "2003-08-10T14:49:35Z")
I honestly can’t recall ever uisng it. Of course, I’m very non-U, you know …
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### Author:  [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/13 "2003-08-10T15:24:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by glee \*
> \*\*Currently I use ‘How’s it hanging, dude?’ quite a lot. \*\*
LMAO! “How’s it hanging, dude?” The only place I’ve heard that is on America tv shows! I didn’t realise some people actually _use_ that expression.
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### Author:  [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)
#### Post date: [August 10, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-brits-do-you-still-say-how-do-you-do/194040/14 "2003-08-10T15:35:37Z")
I heard it used in a movie a few days ago and have been consciously trying to use it since then. I think it sounds cool.