how do you do meaning (dated): definition, quotations

how do you do

phrase

Dated, Formal A greeting used upon being introduced to someone. Alternatives are how are you, pleased to meet you, and nice to meet you. (Sometimes used as a rhetorical question among familiar parties, depending on the region).

"How do you do?" began Pollyanna politely. "I'm from Miss Polly Harrington, and I'd like to see Mrs. Snow, please."1913, Eleanor H. Porter, chapter 8, in Pollyanna, L.C. Page, →OCLC:

Related terms: how are you doing, howdy

how do you do

noun

UK, Euphemistic A difficult situation

Well, this is a fine how do you do isn't it, Gromit?1993, Nick Park, Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers:
On the winding road to Petropolis, they did not speak, not about modernism or the construction of houses or antique bird jails or fine how-do-you-dos.2010, Michael Sledge, The More I Owe You: A Novel, Counterpoint Press, →ISBN, page 78:

1 more example

"Vienna!" Mr. B. went on. "This is a bit of a how-do-you-do, is it not?"2013, Chris Raschka, Seriously, Norman!, Scholastic Inc., →ISBN, page 115: