Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (76 page)

How (are) you doing?
a standard greeting inquiry. (The entry without
are
is informal and usually pronounced “How ya doin'?”)
J
ANE
: How are you doing? M
ARY
: I'm okay. What about you? J
ANE
: Likewise
.
S
ALLY
: Sue, this is my little brother, Bill. S
UE
: How are you, Bill? B
ILL
: Okay. How you doing?

How (are) you feeling?
an inquiry into the state of someone's health.
S
ALLY
: How are you feeling? B
ILL
: Oh, better, thanks. S
ALLY
: That's good
.
B
ILL
: Hey, Jane! You been sick? J
ANE
: Yeah. B
ILL
: How you feeling? J
ANE
: Not very well.

How are you getting on?
How are you managing?; How are you doing?
J
ANE
: Well, Mary, how are you getting on? M
ARY
: Things
couldn't be better.
S
UE
: Hey, John! How are you getting on? What's it like with all the kids out of the house? J
OHN
: Things are great, Sue!

How 'bout them
team players
?
What do you think of the way the named sports team has been playing? (A formulaic conversation starter.)
Poor Darrell. His only greetings are “How 'bout them Cubs?” or “Getting any?
”
F
ATHER
: Well, how did you like our office party? M
OTHER
: Can't any of those guys say hello? What does all this “How 'bout them Dolphins?” mean?

How 'bout this weather?
Isn't this strange weather? (A formulaic conversation starter.)
Old dull Fred stands around quietly with a drink in his hand for a long time. Then he walks up to a real gorgeous blonde and says, “How 'bout this weather?” She looks at him for a few seconds and bursts out laughing
.
Q: Gee, it's hot! How 'bout this weather? A: Heat getting you down?

How can I help you?
Go to How may I help you?

How can I serve you?
Go to How may I help you?

How come?
How did that come about?; Why?
S
ALLY
: I have to go to the doctor. M
ARY
: How come? S
ALLY
: I'm sick, silly
.
J
OHN
: I have to leave now. B
ILL
: How come? J
OHN
: I just have to, that's all
.
H
ENRY
: How come you always put your right shoe on first? R
ACHEL
: Do I have to have a reason for something like that?