howdy-do

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   dated, especially US: an awkward, surprising, or troublesome situation, often in the phrase a pretty howdy-do

   Losing both tickets at the station was a pretty howdy-do.

2. 2
   noun

   dated: a greeting or salutation; how do you do

   He offered a quick howdy-do before attending to the customers.

A pronunciation spelling and alteration of how do you do. Like how-do-you-do, it developed a noun sense for an awkward or remarkable situation, often used ironically in the expression a pretty howdy-do.

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