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In South African English, "howzit" is often used as a form of greeting. The term is an abbreviated...

In South African English, "howzit" is often used as a form of greeting. The term is an abbreviated form of 'how is it going ?' and the appropriate response is 'sharp', often doubled and spoken with the r silent. The use of the term as a greeting is almost certainly an independent development from the cricket term for an appeal, since it originated in the townships where the major sport was soccer. However, in recent years as it was picked up by the majority of the English speaking (both first and second-language) population of South Africa, its use may well have been reinforced by knowledge of the cricket term, especially as popularity of cricket in the townships showed a marked increase in recent years. Howzit is also used in Hawaiian Pidgin and has essentially the same meaning, though its origins are uncertain. Compare also the full list of South African slang terms.