How’s tricks has been around awhile. It might well have originally related to prostitution. Maybe something a beat cop might ask.
Oh, and just to head off questions about that, a beat cop is one who patrols on foot, most often in big cities. All but extinct these days.
I’ve used the phrase a time or two in my life but apparently it goes back to around 1920 (as a greeting anyway) according to my Dictionary of Catch Phrases. The book theorizes that it comes from a nautical trick, i.e. a turn at the wheel.
It’s use and commonality is probably related to demographics. (Wow, I can’t believe I used those words). Simply, who, what, and where makes a difference. I heard this a lot growing up in the western suburbs of Denver. I checked with some friends and coworkers. Almost all of them had heard the term and some actually admitted to using it. Most of these people are between 35-45 years old.
My sister and I once considered modifying our language according to Damon Runyon. We were convinced that within a few weeks we’d create a renewed appreciation for that fabulous style.
I doubt the majority of people would have the slightest clue as to what we were saying. Still, it would be fun.
Snubbed again. Story of my life…
Lurker, I will never snub you. 
And btw, How’s tricks? 
Damn. This is what I get for being such a slow typist.
lurker–nicely, nicely, thank you very much. How goes it wi’choo? 
I totally empathize with you Lurker. A couple hours ago I started a thread here at MPSIMS. Well, I just went back to check out how it was doing. Imagine my surprise when I see that out of 32 views it had generated 0 replies. I am thinking of going back to post whatever idiocy I can think of, you know, to save face. I don’t want to be known as the only doper to ever start a thread incapable of enticing a single, lousy, condescending reply. Oh, well. :rolleyes:
I totally empathize with you Lurker. A couple hours ago I started a thread here at MPSIMS. Well, I just went back to check out how it was doing. Imagine my surprise when I see that out of 32 views it had generated 0 replies. I am thinking of going back to post whatever idiocy I can think of, you know, to save face. I don’t want to be known as the only doper to ever start a thread incapable of enticing a single, lousy, condescending reply. Oh, well. :rolleyes:
Almos forgot, Lurker, How’s potatoes?
And some people you can always count on…
A little better right now…
Everything’s jake. Koo koo kachoo
French fried. How are galactic catastrophies?
DeathLlama has asked me this and I just look at him funny. I keep waiting for him to finish the sentence…“How’s Trix…cereal taste?” Or, “How’s Trix…ie doing?” Or even, “How’re the tickets?”
Each time he’d ask me this for the first few times (it’s not like a daily or even weekly expression), I’d ask, “Trix? Trixie? Do I know a Trixie?” Or…“Um, I’m not turning any tricks, sorry.” I usually had no idea in hell what he was talking about.
He is the only person I can ever recall in my life using this expression. Y’all are part of a very small, sequestered club.
Eh, can’t complain. Yourself?
Sometimes I am paralyzed by self-doubt. But a good rerun of “Law and Order” usually makes me feel better.
You know, the usual: a white dwarf for breakfast, red giant for lunch, pulsar for dinner. On a good day I will have a triple star system for dessert, but that seldom happens. It is getting really lonely up here, the farthest reaches of space seem to become less populated by the minute. Wonder whose fault is that?
You behave, Galactus!
Guess I am not the only Fantastic Four fan around here.