How is it hanging
How is it hanging
how is it hanging
Смотреть что такое «how is it hanging» в других словарях:
How(’re) they hanging? — interrog. <an inquiry calling for a report of the state of a male’s testicles.> (See also Getting any? Usually objectionable.) □ How they hanging, Fred? □ You’re looking okay. How’re they hanging? … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
how’s it hanging? — Exclam. How are you? Mainly a male greeting … English slang and colloquialisms
How’re they hanging? — common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … Dictionary of Australian slang
How’s it hanging? — common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … Dictionary of Australian slang
how’re they hanging? — Australian Slang common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … English dialects glossary
how’s it hanging? — Australian Slang common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … English dialects glossary
how are things? — how s it going?, how s it hanging?, how s your life going? … English contemporary dictionary
how — I. /haʊ / (say how) adverb 1. in what way or manner; by what means: how did it happen? 2. to what extent, degree, etc.: how much? 3. by what unit: how do you sell these apples? 4. in what state or condition: how are you? 5. for what reason; why.… … Australian-English dictionary
Hanging — is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck, although it formerly also referred to crucifixion. The preferred past… … Wikipedia
Hanging Lake — is located in Glenwood Canyon, about 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The lake is reached via a trailhead located near I 70 in the bottom of the canyon. The trail follows Dead Horse Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. Travertine… … Wikipedia
hanging — how netting is mounted according to a specific relationship between the length of that part or the final rope or frame on which the netting is mounted and the length of the netting … Dictionary of ichthyology
How’s it hanging?
Why do some people use «how’s it hanging?» as greeting? What is «it» referring to?
4 Answers 4
As with up in your other question, hang has many meanings, not all of them related to an act of suspension. For example, hang out can certainly mean ‘place garments on a washing line to dry’, but it can also mean, among other things,’reside, lodge or live’.
As Alan B suggests, How’s it hanging? may well have the genital origin that Partridge attributes to it. In answer to your comment about its application to women, I would guess that that is rather beside the point, as I suspect it’s an expression almost entirely confined to men.
It is often used in English without any very specific meaning, as in It’s raining. In How’s it hanging? it refers to life in general.
Well, it’s referring to the penis obviously.
In 1964 at the very end of the school term in mid June, I was walking down a long hall way alone when from the other end of the hall came a member of the schools ruling clique. This fellow and I had been friends years before in middle school. He had gone on to become successful with in the «in» crowd while I had not and hence faced the constant snubbing this group put out.
Having been friendly a one point in the past, I considered greeting him as we approached one another. Just how might I speak to this golden Adonis I wondered. Probably a simple «how’s it going» I figured and began to speak, as he surely would not step below his station and greet me first. Then, half way through my short sentence my mind raced to the thought that it was indeed the last minutes of the school term and a fair well greeting would be more appropriate and I tried to instead say» hang in there.» What came out was » how’s it hanging»
He walked a step or two, slowed, his face lit to a smile and said » long and heavy man, long and heavy»
This was mid June of 64 at Hayward High School in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The following September at the onset of the new term, the term how’s it hanging had become the familiar greeting among the boys of that clique and from this quickly spread within a few weeks around the Bay Area.
How’s It Hanging – Meaning & Origin (+4 Good Responses)
“How’s it hanging” is a style of greeting in English. It’s a colloquial phrase, but you might find it quite useful to understand and use yourself. This article will explore the meaning of the word while also explaining what it means if you’re unsure how to use it yourself.
Table of Contents
What Does “How’s It Hanging” Mean?
“How’s it hanging” means “what’s up” or “what’s on your mind.” We use it as a greeting to ask how things are going in somebody’s life. The original meaning has been lost, and many people simply use it as a new slang term for asking how you are.
When it first came about, “how’s it hanging” was mostly reserved for men. We’ll touch a little bit more on this in a while, explaining why it drifted into a more mainstream phrase.
As far as slang terms go, it’s not the most common to hear. Anyone can use it today, but we often don’t hear it spoken, and we rarely see it written.
Please enable JavaScript
What Is The Origin Of “How’s It Hanging”?
Before we talk about the origin of the phrase, we think it would help to see how popular it is in English. From there, you might understand whether it’s worth learning about it and when to use it.
According to this graph, “how is it hanging” is fairly popular and only came about in the last two decades. Before then, there were very few mentions of the phrase (except for a brief time in the late 1960s).
So, where did the phrase “how’s it hanging” come from exactly?
A Dictionary Of Catch Phrases American And British
Written by Eric Partridge, the dictionary in question seems to define the origin of “how’s it hanging.” It was a man-to-man greeting, though today it seems to be more open to multiple people.
“How’s it hanging” originally referred to the “p*nis.” “It” refers to how a man’s p*nis “hung” on that day, to basically ask them “how’s your s*x life” and thus “how are you?” It was a slang form of asking how another man was while being coy about their genitalia.
You’re probably quite surprised to read that, but it’s true. The phrase “how’s it hanging” comes from talking about genitalia. Men would often greet other men with the phrase to ask them how they were doing and whether there were any fascinating new updates with their lives.
Even though the phrase asks how “it’s” hanging, the men that asked it were rarely asking about another man’s s*x life. It was more of an inside joke between the men that use it to poke fun at each other and ask them what’s up.
Examples Of How To Use “How’s It Hanging” In A Conversation
To help you understand how it’s used today (with no relation to genitalia), we’ll show you when it works best with some examples. From there, you’ll be able to use it yourself if you want to.
As you can see, the phrase “how’s it hanging” doesn’t offer an easy way to respond to it. That’s why people often avoid using it since there’s no real way to reply (other than saying “it’s good” or “it’s okay”).
How’s It Hanging – Synonyms
These synonyms are all slang and colloquial alternatives to “how’s it hanging.” They’re mostly all more popular than “how’s it hanging” as well, so work really well if you want to use them in this way.
4 Good Responses To “How’s It Hanging”
Responding to “how’s it hanging” sets up the precedent for the rest of your conversation with somebody. We think it’s crucial to know what you’re going to say, so we’ve put together a list of good responses to help you.
I’m Good, Thanks For Asking
It’s Going Well, Thank You
How’s It Hanging With You?
How Are You?
“How are you” is another great way to respond. We can use it to ask how they’re doing after we’ve answered for ourselves. It’s a great way to keep a conversation going.
Martin is the founder of Grammarhow.com. With top grades in English and teaching experience at university level, he is on a mission to share all of his knowledge about the English language. Having written thousands of articles, he is an expert at explaining difficult topics in a simple language.
Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.
About Us
We are on a mission to help you become better at English. As a group of experienced English writers, we enjoy sharing our knowledge in a language that everyone is able to understand.
how is it hanging
1 how is it hanging
2 how’s it hanging?
3 hang
She was hanging wet clothes outside. — Она развешивала мокрое бельё на улице.
Hang out the flag, the victory is ours! — Вывешивай флаги, мы победили!
The picture hangs right above the fireplace. — Картина висит прямо над камином.
She sat her legs hanging in the air. — Она сидела свесив ноги.
The coat hangs loosely on his body. — Пальто на нём висит.
Clouds are hanging low overhead. — Низкие облака висят над головой.
We all were to be hanged upon a gibbet. — Все мы были приговорены к виселице.
Both men were sentenced to hang. — Оба человека были приговорены к повешению.
He hanged for his crimes. — Он был повешен за свои преступления.
The rooms were hung with tapestries. — Комнаты были завешаны гобеленами.
His pictures were not hung in that hall. — Его картины не были выставлены в том зале.
His tongue is hanged well enough. — У него достаточно хорошо подвешен язык.
to hang a Ralph / Ralphie / right — повернуть направо
He hung a quick U-turn. — Он резко развернулся на 180 градусов.
She hung on his arm. — Она вцепилась ему в руку.
Hang onto my arm on this icy surface. — Держись за мою руку, здесь скользко.
We should hung onto the house and sell it later when prices are higher. — Нам надо попридержать дом и продать его, когда цены повысятся.
The old lady had only her religion to hang onto when all her family had gone. — После того, как у старой леди умерли все родственники, ей осталась лишь её вера.
Dogs hung to the trail. — Собаки не теряли следа.
Doom hung over the nation. — Злой рок навис над страной.
I hate to have unfinished work hanging over me. — Ненавижу, когда надо мной висит незаконченная работа.
Time hangs on his hands. — Время ему только в тягость.
Election hangs on one vote. — Результаты выборов зависят от одного голоса.
The result will hang on whether the secret is discovered. — Результат будет зависеть от того, раскроют ли этот секрет.
to hang in balance — быть в неопределённом положении, колебаться
The decision is still hanging. — Решение всё ещё не принято.
He hung on her every word. — Он жадно ловил каждое её слово.
I’ll be hanged if. — да провалиться мне сквозь землю, если.
As well be hanged for a sheep as (for) a lamb. посл. — Двум смертям не бывать, а одной не миновать.
to hang upon smb.’s lips / words — внимательно слушать, ловить каждое слово кого-л.
to hang the head / lip (down) — вешать голову, печалиться; трусить
to hang the groin / a leg / an arse — груб. мешкать, не решаться; тормозить
to hang by a thread / hair / an eyelid — висеть на волоске
to hang upon smb.’s sleeve — зависеть от кого-л.
the brilliance of the hang — прекрасно продуманная экспозиция, красота размещения экспонатов ( на выставке)
the hang of the dress — посадка; то, как сидит платье
it’s a hang of a (hangava, hanguva, etc.) wet day — ну и сыро сегодня, чёрт побери!
not a hang — ни черта, нисколько
to get the hang of smth. — разг. освоить, овладеть чем-л.; усвоить, понять что-л.
I don’t care a hang. — Мне по фигу, наплевать.
It’s not worth a hang. — Это и яйца выеденного не стоит.
4 слово
a word in season;
понимать без слов understand* without a word having been spoken;
ни
твёрдо when I say a thing, I mean it;
верить кому-л. на слово take* smb.`s word for it;
take* it trust;
романс на
а Пушкина song to words from Pushkin;
на два
а! may I have a word with you?;
мне надо сказать вам два
а! a word in your ear!;
2. (речь, язык) language;
a ask to speak, ask for the floor;
имеет господин Иванов Mister lvanov will now speak, Mister Ivanov has the floor;
за вами, теперь за вами
за защитой the defence has the last word;
последнее
осталось за ним be had the last word;
4. (повествование) tale, story;
‘Слово о полку Игореве’ УThe Song of Igor`s CampaignФ;
за слово one thing led to another;
на
ах (устно) by word of mouth, только на
ах in word only;
не на
ах, а на деле е not merely in words but with deeds;
нет слов, чтобы выразить. words fail to express. ;
я не нахожу слов, чтобы. I have no words to. ;
слов нет (правда, конечно) there`s no denying, of course;
новое
в чем-л. fresh departure in smth., milestone in smth. ;
advance in smth. ;
к
у пришлось but that`s by the way;
завод оборудован по последнему
5. Слово Божие церк. The Word of God.
5 noose
петля;
аркан;
лассо
поймать арканом, силком;
заманить в ловушку
узы супружества noose казнь через повешение;
to put one’s neck into the noose = самому в петлю лезть
6 reward
вознаграждение;
in reward (for smth.) в награду (за что-л.) pecuniary
денежное вознаграждение reward вознаграждать;
воздавать должное
вознаграждение;
in reward (for smth.) в награду (за что-л.)
7 tongue
он за словом в карман не полезет;
to find one’s tongue снова заговорить;
(снова) обрести дар речи
язык;
furred (или dirty, foul, coated) tongue обложенный язык (у больного) to give
говорить, высказываться to give
подавать голос( о собаках на охоте) ;
to have too much tongue = что на уме, то и на языке
речь, манера говорить;
glib tongue бойкая речь to oil one’s
льстить;
to have lost one’s tongue молчать, проглотить язык to give
подавать голос( о собаках на охоте) ;
to have too much tongue = что на уме, то и на языке he has a ready
он за словом в карман не полезет;
to find one’s tongue снова заговорить;
(снова) обрести дар речи his
failed him у него отнялся язык, он лишился дара речи to hold one’s
, to keep a still
in one’s head молчать;
держать язык за зубами;
his tongue is too long for his teeth у него слишком длинный язык to hold one’s
, to keep a still
in one’s head молчать;
держать язык за зубами;
his tongue is too long for his teeth у него слишком длинный язык
язык (речь) ;
the mother tongue родной язык mother
родной язык;
mother tongue праязык mother
родной язык;
mother tongue праязык to oil one’s
льстить;
to have lost one’s tongue молчать, проглотить язык to speak with one’s
in one’s cheek, to put one’s
in one’s cheek говорить неискренне to speak with one’s
in one’s cheek, to put one’s
in one’s cheek говорить с насмешкой, иронически to put out one’s
язык (как кушанье) ;
smoked tongue копченый язык to speak with one’s
in one’s cheek, to put one’s
in one’s cheek говорить неискренне to speak with one’s
in one’s cheek, to put one’s
in one’s cheek говорить с насмешкой, иронически tongue дышло
ж.-д. остряк стрелки
речь, манера говорить;
glib tongue бойкая речь
язык (как кушанье) ;
smoked tongue копченый язык
язык (речь) ;
the mother tongue родной язык
язык;
furred (или dirty, foul, coated) tongue обложенный язык (у больного)
(что-л.), имеющее форму языка, напоминающее язык, напр., язык пламени, колокола;
язычок (духового инструмента, обуви)
8 noose
9 reward
10 tongue
11 walk
12 Dogan
He flipped back to the cover again, and this time Eddie saw it. “The title on the front’s misprinted, isn’t it? Dogan instead of Hogan.” / Tower nodded happily. “A hogan is an Indian home of the type illustrated on the front. A dogan is… well, nothing. The misprinted cover makes the book somewhat valuable…” — Эдди снова перевернул книгу передней обложкой вверх и на этот раз увидел сам. – Название на обложке сделано с опечаткой, правильно? Доган вместо Хогана. / Тауэр радостно закивал. – Хоган – это жилище индейцев, как на картинке обложки. А доган – это… ну вообще ничего. Одна только опечатка на обложке уже делает эту книгу довольно ценной… (ТБ 5)
A minute later they reached the door of the hut. Above it, on a rusting steel plate, was this: NORTH CENTRAL POSITRONICS, LTD. / Northeast Corridor / Arc Quadrant / OUTPOST 16 / Medium Security / VERBAL ENTRY CODE REQUIRED / On the door itself, now hanging crooked by only two screws, was another sign. A joke? Some sort of nickname? Jake thought it might be a little of both. The letters were choked with rust and eroded by God knew how many years of blowing sand and grit, but he could still read them: WELCOME TO THE DOGAN — Минутой позже они уже подошли к двери. Над ней крепилась изрядно заржавевшая стальная табличка с надписью: СЕВЕРНЫЙ ЦЕНТР ПОЗИТРОНИКИ, ЛТД / СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОЧНЫЙ КОРИДОР / КВАДРАТ ДУГИ / АВАНПОСТ 16 / ВТОРОЙ УРОВЕНЬ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ / ВХОД ПО РЕЧЕВОМУ ПАРОЛЮ / На самой двери, только на двух винтах, еще два вывалились, висела другая табличка. “Это шутка? – подумал Джейк. – Прозвище?” Чуточку одного и капелька другого? Кто мог ответить на этот вопрос? Табличка провисела Бог знает сколько лет, буквы едва проступали сквозь ржавчину, но Джейк все-таки прочитал текст: ДОБРО ПОЖАЛОВАТЬ В “ДОГАН” (ТБ 5)
how’s it hanging?
Смотреть что такое «how’s it hanging?» в других словарях:
How(’re) they hanging? — interrog. <an inquiry calling for a report of the state of a male’s testicles.> (See also Getting any? Usually objectionable.) □ How they hanging, Fred? □ You’re looking okay. How’re they hanging? … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
how’s it hanging? — Exclam. How are you? Mainly a male greeting … English slang and colloquialisms
How’re they hanging? — common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … Dictionary of Australian slang
How’s it hanging? — common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … Dictionary of Australian slang
how’re they hanging? — Australian Slang common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … English dialects glossary
how’s it hanging? — Australian Slang common expression of greeting, used especially, but exclusively, among men (in reference to the state of the male genitals) … English dialects glossary
how are things? — how s it going?, how s it hanging?, how s your life going? … English contemporary dictionary
how — I. /haʊ / (say how) adverb 1. in what way or manner; by what means: how did it happen? 2. to what extent, degree, etc.: how much? 3. by what unit: how do you sell these apples? 4. in what state or condition: how are you? 5. for what reason; why.… … Australian-English dictionary
Hanging — is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck, although it formerly also referred to crucifixion. The preferred past… … Wikipedia
Hanging Lake — is located in Glenwood Canyon, about 7 miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The lake is reached via a trailhead located near I 70 in the bottom of the canyon. The trail follows Dead Horse Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. Travertine… … Wikipedia
hanging — how netting is mounted according to a specific relationship between the length of that part or the final rope or frame on which the netting is mounted and the length of the netting … Dictionary of ichthyology