HIYA

Hi,

I've heard some English people say hiya, meaning hi, and I wonder if it's used in all english-speaking countries or is British English.

'Hi' is much more common than 'hiya' in NAmE, in fact so common that it is almost the standard greeting in most normal situations. 'Hiya' (short for 'how are you') does imply more informality.

And I guess,you wouldn't say "howdy" at the first meeting as well, right?

Hi is short for Hiya and originally came from the Hindustani greeting "Hiya". No doubt brought back by British troops, maybe, in the 18th or 19th century, when Britain occupied the Indian sub continent. Say it if you wish, we Brits will still smile at you.

Sorry! I'm afraid I wrote the last reply, without signing in.

sandman.

Welcome to English Forums, Sandman!

I don't hear "hiya" very often. In southern BrE, interestingly, it seems to be one of those words that are used by women more often than men.

MrP

You could be right, and I think it is used more in some parts of the north,? Places like Liverpool, perhaps?

Sandman.

Ah yes! I can hear it in a northern accent too.

I personally have never heard anyone use the term 'Hiya' in my few decades of existence in the contiguous 48 states of America. My only exposure to 'hiya' is from movies and books around the time of World War II. I've never used it myself and don't plan on using it either. If someone said it to me today, I suppose I might find it amusing but surely nonstandard.

As for 'howdy', I've

Since posting my last post, I've heard "hiya" used by a southern British person who is certainly not female.

I un-rest my case.

Off to have my ears syringed now.

MrP

hiya........................one of my favorite words!