Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A greeting.
  • noun An embarrassing or troublesome state of affairs which suddenly encounters one.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun idiomatic Same as how-d'ye-do.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The Golden Globe Awards gave a nice howdy-do to three freshmen TV series and planted a big ol' wet kiss on Fox's sophomore series "Glee" as it announced nominations Tuesday for its 68th annual trophy show.

    'Glee' gets a high-five from the Golden Globes Lisa de Moraes Lisa de Moraes 2010

  • Don't waste your time searching for, say, a 1609 copy of Shake-speares Sonnets, dedicated in the bard's hand to the Earl of Pembroke, his patron; or a first edition of Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (1632), inscribed by Galileo to Pope Urban VII, his tormentor; or a scribbled howdy-do by Adam Smith to fellow Scotsman David Hume on a first edition of The Wealth of Nations (1776).

    Beware Rare Book Forgeries Tom Post 2009

  • What we've seen this week is a man with a smile and a friendly howdy-do for everyone he meets, the soul of merriment.

    Insect Photography: James Wolcott Wolcott, James, 1952- 2009

  • He shook hands with all the crew and made sure to say howdy-do to the small group of bloggers there.

    E. A. Hanks: These Boots Are Made For Talking: Gore Chats About Live Earth 2008

  • We are such suckers for pomp and circumstance, and we got a TV full of the stuff last week as the Pope dropped by for a holy howdy-do.

    The Pope's Visit: Shame or Disgrace? 2008

  • They grabbed them off the street without so much as a howdy-do, spirited them off to a secret location and “roughed them up.”

    Slip-Sliding Away 2007

  • Dressed in melon pants, yellow shirt and light blue sweater, Solondz darted across the room to greet me with a big smile and howdy-do handshake.

    Current Movie Reviews, Independent Movies - Film Threat 2005

  • Battlepanda is invaded by the Taiwan press without so much as a howdy-do.

    Daily Links, Sept 2, 2006 Michael Turton 2006

  • Battlepanda is invaded by the Taiwan press without so much as a howdy-do.

    Archive 2006-09-01 Michael Turton 2006

  • That gal will have you hitched with a ring on your finger before you can turn around and say howdy-do.

    Mending Places Denise Hunter 2004

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