[Jaggy]

I searched and came up with 11 pages.. browsed but still couldn't find what Boy Howdy means.. Can someone enlighten this old lady ?? Thanks..

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Jaggy

I searched and came up with 11 pages.. browsed but still couldn't find what Boy Howdy means.. Can someone enlighten this old lady ?? Thanks..

Boy Howdy « The Word Detective

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Jaggy

I searched and came up with 11 pages.. browsed but still couldn't find what Boy Howdy means.. Can someone enlighten this old lady ?? Thanks..

I have no clue.......but I assume it means something like WOW.

When we first moved to Vermont in 1970, we heard all types of new phrases which we'd never ever heard before........such as "wicked", "wicked good", etc.

Each region has its own peculiarities in speech.........

(After I typed this and posted it, I recalled the gal from North Carolina who always told me with a smile that her little boys, ages two and four, were "wicked" or "wicked good" so I did hear it prior to moving to Vermont.
But up here it was used quiete often by the locals.........I soon learned that wicked meant good.......I guess????)

[Taltarzac725]

boy howdy defined

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Boy Howdy « The Word Detective

Thanks for the link........very interesting for us "yankees".

I sure hope this guy isn't correct:
""This term is used sarcastically in response to a slow thinker’s revelation of a pretty obvious fact: “Well, Boy Howdy!”""

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

I have no clue.......but I assume it means something like WOW.

When we first moved to Vermont in 1970, we heard all types of new phrases which we'd never ever heard before........such as "wicked", "wicked good", etc.

Each region has its own peculiarities in speech.........

My grandmother who was from Illinois said it and I think it means Oh MY.

Or Wow. (you are right Senior) or maybe even Oh sh*t.

But in our section of the country it wasn't a peculiarity.

I forgive you senior for thinkin' that. Because I think your thinkin' is wicked good.

I have a strong belief that sometimes it is best to say Boy Howdy rather than to cut them off at the knees.

Sometimes.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

My grandmother who was from Illinois said it and I think it means Oh MY.

Or Wow. (you are right Senior) or maybe even Oh sh*t.

But in our section of the country it wasn't a peculiarity.

I forgive you senior for thinkin' that. Because I think your thinkin' is wicked good.

I have a strong belief that sometimes it is best to say Boy Howdy rather than to cut them off at the knees.

Sometimes.

I was actually referring to the "wicked good". How can something be good if it is wicked? Coming from New Jersey at the time, it just sounded strange. However, prior to marriage I worked in N.J. with a gal from North Carolina who told me often that her two little boys were "wicked" and then she'd turn around and say they were "wicked good" so I guess it isn't just native Vermonters saying that peculiar phrase.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by senior citizen

I was actually referring to the "wicked good". How can something be good if it is wicked? Coming from New Jersey at the time, it just sounded strange. However, prior to marriage I worked in N.J. with a gal from North Carolina who told me often that her two little boys were "wicked" and then she'd turn around and say they were "wicked good" so I guess it isn't just native Vermonters saying that peculiar phrase.

boy howdy.

[elevatorman]

I thought it was a "Gracieism".

[senior citizen]

Each region has its own peculiarities in speech.........

(After I typed this and posted , I recalled the gal from North Carolina who always told me with a smile that her little boys, ages two and four, were "wicked" or "wicked good" so I did hear it prior to moving to Vermont.
But up here it was used quiete often by the locals.........I soon learned that wicked meant good.......I guess????)

[skyguy79]

"Boy Howdy, what a wicked thread!"

[justjim]

Boy Howdy is definitely a Goreville saying----I had a very best friend from Goreville, Illinois who used the "slang" all the time. My response to him was always another "slang" ---I'll never smile again. Now, figure that one out!

[Uptown Girl]

To me, it is a creative alternative to rolling one's eyes up to heaven.
I like it.
But then, I like all manner of colloquialisms.
In the Midwest, we heard, "Holy Cow!", "Holey Moley", and my personal favorite, "Mother of Bald Heads!" (often used by Chicago Ironworkers) That one was usually accompanied by a slap to your forehead. Spoke volumes that everybody understood!

Quite fun.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

To me, it is a creative alternative to rolling one's eyes up to heaven.
I like it.
But then, I like all manner of colloquialisms.
In the Midwest, we heard, "Holy Cow!", "Holey Moley", and my personal favorite, "Mother of Bald Heads!" (often used by Chicago Ironworkers) That one was usually accompanied by a slap to your forehead. Spoke volumes that everybody understood!

Quite fun.

You've brought back to memory how Mr. White used to say "Great Cesar's Ghost!" on the Superman's TV series! Other terms that come to mind are "Jeepers Creepers!"; "Holly mackrel!"; "Golly Gee Willikers!"; "Dag-nabbit!"; "Yumpin-yimminy!"; "Ay caramba!"; "Hamana-hamana!" and a lot more I'm sure!

[Taltarzac725]

"Mother of Bald Heads!" Now that is one I have never heard before.