how are they stacking up?, phr. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

how are they stacking up? phr.

also how are they coming? how are they running?

(US) a greeting.

1906		S. Ford Shorty McCabe 7: How’re they runnin’, eh?
1908		B. Fisher A. Mutt in Blackbeard Compilation (1977) 82: ‘Suffocated with pleasureski.’ ‘How are they stacking up, Nic?’.
1909		S. Ford Honk, Honk! 19: I discovers Mr. Cecil Slattery shovin’ out the glad hand. ‘How’re they coming?’ says he.
1928		M. Bodenheim Georgie May 56: ‘Howdy, Colby, howah they coming?’ he asked, with a grin.
1933		J. Spenser Limey 36: ‘Lo Limey,’ he greeted me. ‘How ya stackin’ ’em up?’.
1954		A. Petry Narrows 114: Hi, Sonny, How’re they runnin’?