What’s up, buttercup?
humorous greeting (a bit old fashioned, but still in use)

- a form of endearment used to ask how someone is feeling (today)

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The expression “What’s Up?”, meaning “How are you doing?”, dates back at least to 1819, when it first appeared in print. The addition of “Buttercup” appeared in an art print from the same period – it featured an adult addressing a sleepy-eyed young girl.

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TEN TENDER REPLIES

A reply in the same spirit is absolutely appropriate.

Which of the following captures your current mood?

1. “I am out of bed, you daisy head!” – jokingly stating you are doing fine and are active and lively, unlike the young girl captioned in the 1819 print who was still sleepy when she received this salutation.

2. “Doing Fine, Clementine!” – indicating that you are doing well physically, psychologically, and even financially. The “clementine” part of this response creates rhyme and provides the same kind of energy associated with the “What’s up Buttercup?” greeting. Clementine also refers to a sweet tangerine fruit and serves as a term of endearment when used metaphorically.

3. “Feeling Lazy, Daisy” – indicating that you are either sleepy or slightly lazy, but happy.

4. “Feeling relaxed as beeswax!” – meaning that you are free of any strain, anxiety, and stress. This reply is somewhat bizarre, but “beeswax” rhymes nicely with “relaxed”. Beeswax has numerous benefits, and as it calms, hydrates, and soothes the skin, this reply metaphorically echoes your serenity.

5. “Taking a trip through the tulips” – implying you are blissful and don’t have any concerns or worries. Tulips are the embodiment of Spring, and this response invokes a cheerful mood of creative freedom.

6. “Today Blows, Rose” – you are feeling offended or unhappy with a particular situation. It might be an ongoing issue or the day in general. This reply shows disinterest or discontent, but it ends with a term of endearment "Rose", showing you aren’t angry or bored with the person posing the salutation. Most people use this response when they have the “Monday Blues.”

7. “Feeling silly, Calla Lilly” – meaning you are in a mischievous state, and you aren’t feeling serious. Calla Lilies are gorgeous flowers that symbolise gratitude, elegance, romance, loyalty, and admiration. People who use “Feeling silly, Calla Lilly” are typically close friends, family members, or even lovers.

8. “I'm feeling a little cold, Marigold” – indicating either indifference or unconcern about what is happening around you, or literally that the weather is chilly and you are cold or freezing. The Marigold plant doesn’t appreciate cold weather and implies that you may need some tender loving care to feel better.

9. “Hey there, Lavender!” – an enthusiastic reply that signifies serenity and devotion to the person posing the salutation. It’s a casual and conversational response to accompany with a smile to show your happiness. People use “Hey there, Lavender!” to show their excitement when they meet up with family or friends not seen for a while.

10. “Nothing new, Honeydew” – an affectionate rhyming response indicating that you are doing well and you haven’t encountered or experienced anything new of late. Nonetheless, the “Honeydew” part serves as sweet talk signifying strong fondness.

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, greet your partner or a close friend with:

“WHAT’S UP, BUTTERCUP? Looking forward to the weekend?”

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

and,

Paul Smith, IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40