howja

English

Etymology

"How d'you" /ˈhaʊdju/ becomes /ˈhaʊdʒə/ ("howja") by yod-coalescence (whereby /j/ assimilates to /ʒ/) and reduction of the unstressed /u/ (which becomes /ə/).

Pronunciation

• enPR: houʹjə, IPA^(key): /ˈhaʊd͡ʒə/

Contraction

howja

1. Pronunciation spelling of how d'you.
   • 1920 June 19, P. G. Wodehouse, The Little Warrior, part IX, in Collier's, page 14:

     “Selby.” ¶ “Howja spell it?” ¶ “S-e-l-b-y.”

   • 1972, Ian Whitcomb, After the Ball, 2nd Limelight Edition (1994), →ISBN, pages 112–113:

     ‘Howja do! Howja do! Howja do! Hellooooo everybardy!…’

   • 2010, Charisse Goodman, The Starved Senses, Dog Ear Publishing,, →ISBN, page 257:

     “Howja do that?” she mumbled thickly. “Howja make firecrackers sound just like guns indoors?” Boy, they sure got some smart guys there, she thought.