“How are ya?”

Posted on August 24, 2006
Tags: Facts |

When you bump into your neighbor on your way out and say, “How are ya?”
you’re engaging in phatic communion. The idea is not to inquire your
neighbor’s state of affairs but simply to create a feeling of shared
goodwill. Later, at work, when you discuss weather with someone at
the water cooler, it’s the same idea.

Learned something new from A Word A Day..

phatic (FAT-ik) adjective

Relating to a communication meant to generate an atmosphere of
social relationship rather than to convey some information.

Comments

4 Responses to ““How are ya?””

Sharky on August 24th, 2006 7:24 am

And what’s the word for people who find phatic communication very tiring?
eyal on August 24th, 2006 11:46 am

hmm.. a tall poppy? ;)
Sharky on August 24th, 2006 7:01 pm

Is that from the latin?
eyal on August 24th, 2006 7:34 pm

Closer to Greek, can be found frequently around doner take away shops :P