What does "Howdy!" mean to YOU?

As I'm mentally preparing to visit The States, I'm becoming re-aware [is that a word?] of American-isms.

Here in Brisbane, AU, when I say "Howdy!" to people, as often as not they reply "Fine, thanks!"

[click... click... click... Ahhhh...!]

I guess the derivation of "howdy" probably is "how-d'you-do?" -- but I always interpreted it as "Hi!"

Guess the Aussies don't get much cowboy movies, nosirree! ;)


Boy-howdy!

--GG