HDYD

What Does HDYD Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

HDYD means "How Do You Do?".

More Observations...

The expression "How Do You Do?" is an old-fashioned greeting used in formal situations, usually when meeting someone for the first time. Informal variations used more widely today include "Howdie doodie?", "How do?" and "How's it hangin'?" In text-based conversations, the abbreviation HDYD is used as a standard greeting, with the same meaning as "Hi" or "Hello." HDYD can also be used as an ironic response to a comment, expressing surprise or envy. For example:

• Nella: I went to Windsor Castle today and met a real lord.
• Abi: Well, HDYD!

Image for HDYD

When I write HDYD, I mean this:

"How Do You Do?" was a formal greeting.

Summary of Key Points

"How Do You Do?" is, by far, the most common meaning for HDYD when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

HDYD
Definition:	How Do You Do?
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of HDYD in Sentences

Here are examples of HDYD in conversations:

• Celia: Hello. What's your name?
• Posh Lady: HDYD. I'm the Duchess of Durham.
• Celia: Really? Well I'm the Princess of Pittsburgh.

• Serin: Nice to meet you. I'm Serin.
• Violet: HDYD. I'm Violet.

An Academic Look at HDYD

"How Do You Do" is a formal salutation or greeting, originally formed as an interogative, but now often used ironically. As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Aitch Dee Why Dee"), HDYD is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Hello, How Are You?" or even just "How Do You Do?" instead of using HDYD.

Example of HDYD Used in a Text

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