how now

Question   Mon May 03, 2010 2:54 am GMT
What does the phrase "How now?" mean?
me   Mon May 03, 2010 4:56 am GMT
It means what is says
Question   Mon May 03, 2010 9:57 am GMT
Thnx
Quintus   Mon May 03, 2010 12:13 pm GMT
"How now?" is an old-fashioned way of asking "What do we have here (all of a sudden)?" or "What's the situation (at the moment)?" or "How are things going (since the last time I asked you)?"

It is old enough to be found in Shakespeare.

The humourous phrase "How now, brown cow?" is a famous demonstration of a diphthong in elocution.
Quintus   Mon May 03, 2010 12:14 pm GMT
I meant, "humorous"