howja en · X
Pronunciation
- houʹjə
- /ˈhaʊd͡ʒə/
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/). See -ja.
Meanings
-
(alt-of, contraction, pronunciation-spelling) Pronunciation spelling of how d'you.
alt of how d'you
“Howja do that?” she mumbled thickly. “Howja make firecrackers sound just like guns indoors?” Boy, they sure got some smart guys there, she thought.
2010, Charisse Goodman, The Starved Senses, Dog Ear Publishing,, →ISBN, page 257:“Selby.” ¶ “Howja spell it?” ¶ “S-e-l-b-y.”
1920 June 19, P. G. Wodehouse, The Little Warrior, part IX, in Collier's, page 14‘Howja do! Howja do! Howja do! Hellooooo everybardy!…’
1972, Ian Whitcomb, After the Ball, 2nd Limelight Edition (1994), pages 112–113