How's tricks?

[JPablo]

how’s tricks? = ¿qué onda?, ¿qué tal?, ¿qué pasa?, ¿qué tal?
Any other Spanish version of this idiomatic expression?
The origin of the English?

[pjt33]

¿Cómo vamos?

[JPablo]

Gracias, ¡vamos bien!

[hermit]

Hi JPablo - A "trick" in this sense is a sly means or method used to
decieve people, possibly to cheat them out of some money.

The "shell game" is an example of a minor "scam" of this sort. In Spanish, "trampa", or "truco".

A "trick" can also refer to a successful "score" by a "hooker". Also, any other practice (to whatever extent illegal) employed by someone to
make a living.

The word has other related meanings, as well, but the above come closest to "tricks" as in "How's tricks?" (Grammatically, it should be
"How're tricks?, but we're dealing with "street talk", here.)

[pjt33]

Come on. That might be the etymology but surely the phrase has lost those connotations now?

[hermit]

Absolutely, pjt33 - People use the phrase quite off-handedly nowadays,
not thinking of its origins even if they're aware of them. Quite innocent,
really...

[Perikles]

Well, the OP did ask for the etymology, even if defunct. I still find trick an odd word to use for the 4 cards in a round in whist or bridge.

[hermit]

Quite right, a bit odd - still, taking a trick in cards often requires
shrewd play...

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Well, the OP did ask for the etymology, even if defunct.

Oops, I missed that. Hermit, I owe you an apology.

As for a trick in bridge: that's far from the strangest bridge term. Who else knows what a peter is, or has played in a TD's Revenge game which gave bonus points for ousting the badger?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by pjt33

As for a trick in bridge: that's far from the strangest bridge term. Who else knows what a peter is

I do, but would like to know the etymology because it seems obscure. And yes, there are weird bridge terms such as an unassuming cue bid or a one no trump consultative redouble.

[hermit]

Apparently from Latin "tricari", to be evasive, shuffle, to French equivalent, and so to English.

All those esoteric Bridge terms involve various strategies, often intending
to decieve and lead others to commit errors...or determine one's partner's
strengths and weaknesses.

[ajak568]

Saying 'tricks' in a game of spades isn't that strange, either. I don't know how it is in Canada or anywhere else in the world, but where I'm from in the US (in the South, I don't know what you guys say in other parts), but 'how's tricks' would definitely be weird and I have never said that in my life. The only situation I can think of to use that is if you are on a friendly basis with a hooker and you want to ask her how work is. :-P

[hermit]

Right, that definitely is the early 20th century AmE derivation, expanded
to include other shifty con game "gimmicks". Same in Canada, now used
without former connotations, or jokingly.

[JPablo]

Hi, everybody. Thank you for all the data. I must confess I got a bit lost with all the "bridge" tricks and what not, and I went to find "the Maven's Word of the DAy", which gives a very good summary and possible origin, which matches with what has been said here. The link is http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/inde...?date=20010103 if you are interested. (What I really like about this forum is that I can get the feel of each one of us, for some expression... its understanding, its associations... you name it... So, thank you all for your input.)

[CrOtALiTo]

You can use Que hongo!
That's just an idiom.

It not very recommendable to use that word.

[JPablo]

Gracias, CrOtALiTo. Veo que "¡qué hongo!" se usa para decir "hola" en México. ¿Tiene alguna connotación negativa?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@JPablo: No, no tiene ninguna connotación negativa. Es sólo una variante sobre "¿qué onda?"

Aquí también se dice "qué hay" o "quiubo" (que alguna vez fue más bien "qué hubo")

[JPablo]

¿Quiubo?, Angélica. Supongo que los signos de interrogación ni siquiera hacen falta... ¿o sí?
Bueno, gracias por la aclaración. (Me pareció que Crotalito, no consideraba que el "hongo" sea muy recomendable... pero, vale.)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@JPablo: Es sólo porque es muy informal. No se recomienda que los estudiantes de español usen palabras demasiado coloquiales, si con las formales tienen para entretenerse. ¿No?
Sobre los signos, pues a veces se usa más bien como exclamación que como pregunta, pero es cuestión de personas. Poner la jerga coloquial por escrito tiene sus bemoles.

[JPablo]

Gracias, Angélica... entendido... y sí, tiene sus bemoles y sus sostenidos... (Hay que ser un buen músico, o un buen amanuense... )