A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Entry from November 08, 2005
How am I doing?
Ed Koch made "How am I doing?" famous when he ran successfully for mayor in 1977. However, this was a popular line in the 1930s as well.

17 January 1932, Washington Post, pg. A2:
ROSELLA,
prominent in the "How Am I Doing?" skit that forms an amusing part of Loew's "Lights and Shadows" revue, at the Palace.

10 July 1932, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. F4:
Ivio Anderson sings some real blues songs at the Lincoln Tavern on Dempster road. Backed by Duke Ellington's great band she's featured in three numbers tonight. "Minnie, the Moocher," "How Am I Doin'" and "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got the Swing."

4 December 1932, Los Angeles Times, "Stars Have Various Methods of Greeting," pg. B9:
Clark Gable's greeting is "How'm I doing?" usually to the consternation of employees prepared to kotow to him as a star.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0322630/
How Am I Doing (1934)

2 February 1935, Chicago Daily Tribune, pg. 1:
'How'm I Doing?' He Asks; First Words in Six Years

26 June 1977, New York Times, "Beame's Scenario: How to beat Bella" by Maurice Caroll, pg. 180:
U.S. Representative Edward Koch tried four years ago to handshake his way to the mayoralty the same way he has patrolled the subway stops and streets of his Congressional District on Manhattan's East Side. One spring morning in 1973, he traveled to the far reaches of Queens to press pamphlets into the hands of people waiting for express buses, introduce himself and ask, "How am I doing?" Those who responded said, somewhat bemusedly, that he was doing all right. But, in fact, he had run out of money, and that afternoon, he dropped out of the campaign.

8 September 1977, New York Times, "Mayoral Hopefuls in Light Mood As They Enter the Home Stretch" by Carey Winfrey, pg. 46:
"How'm I doin'?" Mr. Koch asked citizens as he jaywalked toward the rally. "How'm I doin'? Have I got your vote?"
Posted by Barry Popik
Names/Phrases • Tuesday, November 08, 2005 • Permalink


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