What’s the meaning of the phrase ‘How’s it hanging’?
How are you? (Or ‘how are things?’)
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘How’s it hanging’?
The precise origin of the phrase is not definitively known. Some believe it dates back to the 1920s, while others assert that it entered African American vernacular in the 1940s and 50s. It is widely believed to have originated as a crude reference to male genitalia, implying a very informal and intimate context.
The same idiom in German is ‘Wie steht’s’, which translates to ‘How is it standing’, and there’s also a similar Polish saying.
In response to the literal question, one might answer ‘Hanging mighty low’ or ‘Low and loose and full of juice’.
When used in its most literal sense, the question is very informal, and it would not be appropriate to use it with anyone you don’t know well, especially if you hold them in high esteem.
Today, the literal meaning of the phrase is frequently dismissed, and it is instead taken to mean ‘How are you’ or ‘How are things with you’. This is particularly the case when the person being asked the question is female.
An alternative phrase might be ‘What’s up’, which means ‘What’s going on’, or ‘What’s on your mind’, which means ‘What are you thinking about’.
The precise origin of the phrase is not known, but there are those who believe it dates back to the 1920s, while others insist that the phrase came into the African American vernacular in the 1940s and 50s.
Then in the 1970s and 80s, as a shift towards more casual and informal communication styles took off, the phrase began to become a widely accepted informal greeting.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘How’s it hanging’?
The British electronic artist known as Mr. Scruff released a melody titled ‘How’s it hanging,’ which reflects the easy-going, casual vibes of his music.
The phrase is also frequently used to initially address the audience in stand-up comedy, and it also crops up repeatedly in modern literature and in TV dramas.
