Origin of the phrase “how are you?”

The phrase “how are you?” is said more as a greeting instead of an actual question. It always surprises me how many people ask a question and then just keep on walking and don’t even bother to hear your response. It’s nice that they ask, it shows a bit of compassion. It makes me wonder if the origin of this phrase was actually in some sort of taking the time to hear the answer. Or has it always been buried in a social ritual where it’s said so we seem like we care.

Here’s some things found online in regards to “How are you?”

The Cambridge Dictionary says:

used to ask someone if they are well and happy:

“Hi, Lucy, how are you?” “Fine, thanks, how are you?”

A search on dictionary.com for “how are you” points to “How do you do:”

A conventional greeting used mostly after being introduced to someone, as in And this is our youngestsay “How do you do” to Mr. Smith. Although it is a question, it requires no reply. Originally, in the 1600s, this expression was an inquiry after a person’s health or standing, how do you do meaning “how do you fare?” Today we usually express this as How are you? or How are you doing? or How goes it? or How’s it going? Even more general are the slangy locutions How are things? or How’s tricks? All of these greetings date from the first half of the 1900s.

If they didn’t say “how are you” before 1600, how did people greet each other?

MSN Encarta makes a distinction between “how are you” and “how do you do”:

how are you (doing)? used to ask about somebody’s health, or simply as a greeting when you meet somebody, especially somebody already known

how do you do? used when meeting somebody for the first time

Here’s a psychological look at “how are you” from ethicalspace.org:

The psychologist, Eugene Gendlin, remarks that Heidegger‚Äôs conception of mood is more “interactional” than “intrapsychic” (Gendlin 1978). In his article on Heidegger‚Äôs concept of “Befindlichkeit”, he writes:

“Sich befinden‚Äô (finding oneself) thus has three allusions: The reflexivity of finding oneself; feeling; and being situated. All three are caught in the ordinary phrase: How are you? That refers to how you feel but also to how things are going for you and what sort of situation you find yourself in. To answer the question you must find yourself, find how you already are. And when you do, you find yourself amidst the circumstances of your living.”

And columnist Brad Houston looks at different forms “how are you” and the typical responses at: ‘Greetings, Earthlings’ was already taken.

Brad has it right, when he asks the question he actually takes the time to listen to the response. Personally, I never ask “How are you” unless if I really want to know. I feel like I’m being snotty on this. But I’d rather be sincere.