Where “Howzat” Comes From
“Howzat” is a spoken form of “How’s that?”, the appeal fielders make to the umpire in cricket when they think the batter is out.
It’s used wherever cricket is played, and it’s very familiar in Australia.
““Howzat!” yelled the bowler.”
How Aussies Actually Use It
You’ll hear it on the cricket pitch, in backyard cricket and as a joke.
In Real Life
“Howzat!” is the sound of Australian summers: backyard cricket, beach cricket and the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. In real cricket the fielding side appeals to the umpire when it thinks the batter is out, and the umpire decides. Outside the game, people use “Howzat?” to ask “What do you think of that?”, as in “Howzat for a catch!” or “Howzat for a bargain?”.
Quick Questions
What does howzat mean?
It’s short for “How’s that?” and is the traditional appeal to the umpire in cricket.
Who decides if it’s out?
The umpire. The fielding side appeals, and the umpire gives the batter out or not out.
Say It Like an Aussie
Say it: HOW-zat.
In conversation:
- Howzat! He’s out!
- The whole team shouted howzat.
- The umpire ignored the howzat.
Good to know: Cricket is hugely popular in Australia, so the word carries over into talk about luck and decisions, as in “Howzat for a catch?”.
See also: Golden Duck, Sledging, Barbie
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