# How do you respond to "What's up?" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 22, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788 "2005-03-22T22:44:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/1 "2005-03-22T22:44:13Z")
I never know how to respond properly to the question “What’s up?”. I seems wrong to answer with what I am doing or how I am. So how do you answer? ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/2 "2005-03-22T22:47:22Z")
My weight. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/3 "2005-03-22T22:48:47Z")
Sky. ---
**Author:** ![LindyHopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@LindyHopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LindyHopper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/4 "2005-03-22T22:49:20Z")
Usually some variant on “Eh. Not much.” 'Cause I’m easygoing like that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amazingrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Amazingrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazingrace)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/5 "2005-03-22T22:51:42Z")
I’ve started to notice that I, like, **LindyHopper** usually say “Not much,” regardless of any significant going’s on. Typical conversation: Friend: What’s up? Amazingrace: Not much. You? Friend: Not much. Amazingrace: Actually, I just had a flying saucer crash in my backyard. You’ve got to come see it! And scene. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/6 "2005-03-22T22:55:47Z")
Another vote here for “Not much.” ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/7 "2005-03-22T22:56:00Z")
> [@Amazingrace](#): > > I’ve started to notice that I, like, **LindyHopper** usually say “Not much,” regardless of any significant going’s on. > > Typical conversation: > Friend: What’s up? > Amazingrace: Not much. You? > Friend: Not much. > Amazingrace: Actually, I just had a flying saucer crash in my backyard. You’ve got to come see it! > And scene. That’s pretty much how my conversations go, except for the UFO part. ---
**Author:** ![Sgt.Pepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sgt.Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sgt.Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/8 "2005-03-22T23:09:06Z")
Yeah, just as in **Amazingrace** ’s example. I answer “Not much” regardless of what’s going on, or if there is something that’s “up” going on. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/9 "2005-03-22T23:10:58Z")
Yeah, I say “nuthin’ much,” regardless of how much is going on. Occasionally, if I’m feeling loquacious, I’ll say “not a whole lot.” ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/10 "2005-03-22T23:13:24Z")
Word ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/11 "2005-03-22T23:13:44Z")
To be serious. I hardly ever get asked ‘what’s up’ unless I am showing signs of distress. My mother asked me the other day when she thought I was looking depressed. But generally the version used in the sense that ‘what’s up’ is used in the OP, is ‘how are you’ or ‘how’s things’, to which I answer ‘fine’ and then I might be more specific… ‘a bit tired though, didn’t get much sleep last night’. If asked ‘what’s up’ in the conversational way, I’ll say ‘nothing, just…’ (and then describe what I’m having a problem with) ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/12 "2005-03-22T23:14:56Z")
Almost unfailingly, and regardless of the sex of the person asking the question. Them: “What’s up?” Me: “You, baby!” I’m cool like that though. ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/13 "2005-03-22T23:34:21Z")
When I was at high school, I answered the phone and thought that I knew who the caller was but I wasn’t sure. The conversation went: Me: Hello, Melanie speaking Caller: Hello Melanie Me: Who is it? Caller: You know? Me: No, I don’t? Caller: Yes, you do. Me: Oh, is it you Brian? Caller: Maybe. So, What’s up? Me: (Extended diatribe on what I had been doing in the last few days - went on for about 10 mins) Caller: So, What’s down? Me: What do you mean, What’s down? Caller: Are your knickers down? Me: (catching on and shocked, quickly hung up) So, even now, all these years later, when someone asks me ‘what’s up’, I have to fight the urge to shout: ‘MY KNICKERS!’ ---
**Author:** ![RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@RancidYakButterTeaParty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RancidYakButterTeaParty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/14 "2005-03-23T00:00:48Z")
> [@Inigo Montoya](#): > > Word I use a variation of this response: Word to your mother, or if I am feeling really happy that day “word to your mother’s uncle”. ---
**Author:** ![SpectBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@SpectBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpectBrain)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/15 "2005-03-23T01:51:00Z")
I often answer: “It’s a relative indicator of direction, depending on where your feet are.” That usually gets a “huh?!” ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/16 "2005-03-23T01:58:17Z")
I usually respond by pointing skyward, a smug look on my face. But if they go to the trouble to say “wuddup” then I respond with the obligatory “wooooord.” ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/17 "2005-03-23T02:10:00Z")
“My nipples, it’s freezing outside!” That, ot just “Hey.” ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/18 "2005-03-23T02:16:22Z")
When I think about it, I realize I ALWAYS respond to that with “hey.” ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/19 "2005-03-23T02:20:21Z")
“Not much.” Or, “Same old same old.” ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788/20 "2005-03-23T02:22:08Z")
> [@SpectBrain](#): > > I often answer: > > “It’s a relative indicator of direction, depending on where your feet are.” > > That usually gets a “huh?!” [sub](this is the friggin fourth time I’ve tried to post this. Either my ISP is playing silly-buggers or the SDMB is overloaded)[/sub] Your answer is imperfect. It registers too highly on my pedantry-meter. My answer, which is designed to address the percieved question: “what is, at this moment, _up_”, is perfect in the vast majority of situations. That answer was: ‘sky’ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-respond-to-whats-up/295788.md?page=2)