>Hi George ---
>
>>I'm not sure if I picked up from having lived in the southeastern U.S. for the past 17+ years, or from the "Home Improvement" situation comedy on US TV. I think the latter. I think it's friendlier than just "Hi". Yeah, I'd say you've got the meaning right.:-)
>
>I thought "Hidy" was a South Park influence....Mr. Hankie? :-)

You may be right, but I don't watch "SP" that much. As far as "HI", it's Wilson Wilson doing, "Hidy-Ho neighbor(ette)"