Note 345 — No. 109. [Steele.
Reading edition
Cf. Swift, "Journal to Stella," May 10, 1712—"I have been returning the visits of those that sent howdees in my sickness;" and "Verses on his own Death," 1731 (quoted by Mr. Dobson):
"When daily howd'y's come of course, And servants answer, 'Worse and worse!'"
Servants were frequently sent to make these polite inquiries; and Steele speaks of "the how-d'ye servants of our women" (Spectator, No. 143).