Less Than Cake

The other day a nameless uncle harmlessly asked 'How's tricks?' ---- Good question. I had no idea what he was talking about. So I did some searching and found two definitive meanings but no consensus regarding the origination of the phrase.

Popular Definition:

1. How are things? What is happening? -- That would be the harmless meaning.

I asked my Dad what this meant, he wasn't sure but could only think of one thing and it wasn't good. My Mom nodded in agreement. This leads me to definition number two.

2. Refers to an act of prostitution.

At this point I am assuming my uncle was asking how things were going. But according to Helen @ Word of Day the latter connotation is more widely used today. The Free Dictionary also provides its input regarding the matter.

As to the origination of the phrase? Nobody really knows -- all I could find were hypotheses partially based on fact. So I have submitted the question to Cecil in hopes he can provide us with the Straight Dope.

Moral of the Story: Be careful what slang you use -- meanings change over time.