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nobkin | 08:58 Wed 24th Dec 2003 | Phrases & Sayings
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where does the saying 'Passing the time of day' originate?
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The phrase, meaning 'to exchange greetings/gossip', first appeared in print in the 1830s. An American author wrote: "Two Indians halted within a few rods of us, stared a moment and then civilly passed the time of day."

Presumably, they said, 'How', which is the anglicised version of a Sioux Indian word 'hao', meaning 'good'. This is just part of their greeting ''hao kola', meaning 'all is well, friend'.

13:00 Wed 24th Dec 2003
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That sounds good enough for me, thanks a lot.
23:02 Wed 24th Dec 2003

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