howzit, interjection

/ˈhaʊzət/
Forms:
hoesit, hoezetShow more Also hoesit, hoezet, hoozeet, hoozet, howsit.
Origin:
English, AfrikaansShow more Contraction of English salutation How is it? Forms representing the pronunciations /ˈhuzət/ or /huˈziːt/ reflect the influence of Afrikaans and the Sintu (Bantu) languages.
colloquial
1. A salutation, equivalent to ‘hello’, but also containing the inquiry ‘how are you?’
1975 ‘Blossom’ in Darling 29 Jan. 103Howzit, cherries and okes.
1979 A. Harrison in Frontline Dec. 17I never get lonely. In a city lift I can give the manne a ‘hora hora hoozeet’ and I’m assured of a good conversation.
1980 E. Patel They Came at Dawn 9Howsit Mister Black...I am Miss White.
1980 M.W. Serote in M. Mutloatse Forced Landing 171‘Hoozet?’ He looked at me. ‘Fine,’ I said.
1986 M. Manaka in S. Gray Market Plays 58Danny: Heitha Jimi. Jimi: Hoesit?
1986 T. Thoka in Eng. Usage in Sn Afr. Vol.17 No.2, 20‘Heita’ is a popular greeting used by the Mapantsula...One can go further by saying ‘Heita hoezet majita?’ (Hello, how are you, friends?). ‘Hoezet’ is a corruption of the Afrikaans phrase ‘Hoe is dit’, or the English adoption of this (‘Hello, how’s it?’).
1988 I. Steadman in Weekly Mail 9 Dec. 32I can use that, man. It’s much better than opening your play with a line like ‘Howzit have a drink’.
1988 Lampert & Fourie in You 21 Jan. 102Howzit my china! Lekker surprise, hey?
1989 B. Ludman Day of Kugel 9‘Repeat after me: Hello, howzit.’ ‘Hello what?’ ‘Howzit,’ Diana said, through her nose. ‘Hello, howzit?’...‘What happens if somebody says “Hello, howzit” to me? What do I say?’ ‘Okaynyu,’ Diana said. ‘Okaynyu?’ Michelle asked. ‘Perfect,’ Diana said. ‘Okay. And You? That’s what it means.’
1992 C.M. Knox tr. of E. Van Heerden’s Mad Dog 137‘Howzit.’ ‘Hello.’
2. In the interrogative phrases howzit for (something), howzit with (something), ‘how about (something)’, ‘how’s about’: used to ask for something, or to suggest something.
1983 Frontline Feb. 12So please, my china. I had a hard ride from Joeys and I got no chick to dance with so howzit for like a small loan of your old lady?
1987 Scope 6 Nov. 33Wollies was..coming off a pipe trip. ‘Howzit with a pipe, man?’ Wollies called as Jimmy walked by.
A salutation, equivalent to ‘hello’, but also containing the inquiry ‘how are you?’
In the interrogative phrases howzit for (something), howzit with (something), ‘how about (something)’, ‘how’s about’: used to ask for something, or to suggest something.
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colloquial
Houzouana, nounn.HSRC, nounn.
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