"Wotcher" definition (was Re: Wizengamot)

[scooting2win]

No: HPFGUIDX 74202

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff Bannister" 
<gbannister10 at a...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ryana Smith" <ryana_ at h...> 
> wrote:
> > 
> Ryana:
> > Wotcher is supposed to be of Cockney origin, introduced in the 
19th 
> > Century.  It's short for "what cheer".  The problem I've been 
> having is that whenever I read is I think of it as being the 
beginning 
> > of 'wotcher doing' (as in, what are you doing) and I have to 
reread 
> > it thinking I've missed a word. >>  
> 
> 
> Self:
> I'm not a Londoner by origin but lived in "Sarf Lunnon" from 1949-
> 1993. As a kid and a teenager, I often used "Wotcher" as a 
greeting  
> to friends without knowing it's derivation. It was just a regular 
way 
> of starting the talking.
> 
> Geoff

Me:
Just going to add a little to this one, "Wotcher" (IMO) is like 
americans saying "Waz Up". My kids you it all the time. "now cars 
are saying it to you when you turn them off "See you!" So I think 
it's just friendly sort of. I was having a problem with it at first, 
I thought she was introducing herself, kind of like Hi Harry, I'm 
Wotcher." then when it came time for her name I was lost. So I 
looked it up, it's just a slang, kind of like What's UP here in the 
USA. So See you! Lori