What does 'how do you do' mean?

Question

what EXACTLY does, 'how do you do' mean? I know it sounds dumb, but I'm so very tired. And I can't remember.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, all but one of the answers so far are seriously mistaken. It is likely that when FIRST used this expression was a literal inquiry about how well someone was doing. In that case, you could give a full answer, or simply respond politely with something like "Very well, thank you (for asking)."

But that is NOT what the expression NOW means, nor has it been for quite a long time.

Now it is simply a polite greeting, no longer a question.... and so, you would NOT likely answer "very well" or the like. The proper response is usually to saw exactly the same thing back! That is, if someone says "How do you do?" the answer is "How do you do?"

Also, this form is now generally used only as a response to meeting someone for the FIRST time. You would NOT use it when you are greeting a friend of acquaintance.
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It usually works something like this --
Another person is introduced to you by name. It may involve a third party introducing the two of you, telling each the other's name (etc).

Following this, each of you in turn says "How do you do?"

In other words, it is NOT a question any longer -- but a polite acknowledgment, essentially the equivalent of "It's nice [an honor, etc] to meet you".

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What's interesting is that this change from a genuine question to a polite greeting has happened more than once (though in all the following examples they can be used ANYTIME you see someone, not just when you first meet them).

Consider the greeting "Howdy!" or "Howdy do!" These are simply simplifications (the second more obviously) of "How do you do?" And you would NEVER respond to "Howdy!" with an explanation of how things are going for you.

In the Northeast nowadays the greeting is "How ya doin?" This too is a greeting, NOT a question to answer. The appropriate respond again is to say the same in return "How ya doin'?" (There's a hilarious beer commercial, involving a Texan who comes into a bar, and responds to this greeting with a long-winded detailing of his travels, having no clue what is meant by the expression.)
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ONE problematic example -- "How are you?" and "How are you doing?" are often used in the way just described, but they ALSO are used as literal questions, expecting an answer. It may at times be difficult to tell which of these someone has in mind.... which may produce an awkward response. It is best if you DO intend to question, to modify or add to the question in someone to make that clear (e.g., "How's your day/week going?"."So John, how are you doing today?")

Answer 2

Actually "How do you do" use when you meet a friend for the first time. If you meet him again after a long time, you can not use this again. It is only for the first time. Then the answer should be the same. (How do you do). As I know you can use "How do you do" for a one time for a one person. I hope you understand this.

Thanks.

Answer 3

basically it means "how are you"
correct response is "very well, thank you"
or used to be back when people were in "polite society"
it's also the expression from which comes the texas "howdy" and the colloquial "howdy doody"

Answer 4

It mean like good day in another language.

Answer 5

It just means like how are you doing. Like how do you do how are you doing. Hope that helps!

Answer 6

It's means how are you doing.

Answer 7

usually it means how do you feel at the moment.good bad or what ever.

Answer 8

it's another way of saying 'how are you?'

Answer 9

It means the same as, "What it do?"

Answer 10

how r u doing. WOW