Howdy
In Southern and Appalachian (and wider rural) speech, howdy means hello; a friendly greeting. It’s an informal salutation rooted in an older phrase and now strongly tied to Southern and Western speech.
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Plenty of people say 'howdy!' when they see you, but I ain't one of 'em. Nothin' agin the howdy folks, I just lean towards other ways of greetin'. Plenty of people say 'howdy!' when they see you, but I ain't one of 'em. Nothin' agin the howdy folks, I just lean towards other ways of greetin'. Pronunciation
/ˈhaʊ.di/
Meaning & Usage
- Informal greeting (interjection)
Howdy! Y’all comin’ in for supper?Howdy to you too - don’t wait up!Origin and Etymology
"Howdy" originated as a contraction of "How do ye?" or "How do you do?" in British and Scots‐Irish dialects, and entered American English during the 19th century. It became especially common in rural Southern and Western contexts where a quick, informal greeting suited everyday life. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Usage Notes
"Howdy" is still recognized and used today in the South and West, though less frequently in urban or formal settings. In other regions it may feel old-fashioned or deliberately folksy. Use it when you want a friendly, down-home tone.