What's up

Origin

The phrase "what's up" springs from the colloquial shortening of "What is happening?" or "What is astir?"—the "up" signaling activity or current events. This distinctly American turn of phrase began to percolate through casual conversation in the early 20th century, a linguistic shorthand for inquiry and greeting. Its meteoric rise in popular culture, especially through films and television in the mid-century, solidified its status as the quintessential relaxed salutation, a breezy invitation for connection that asks "What's new?" with a wink.