How's the wife?
A greeting inquiring about the well-being of one's wife. Typically exchanged between men. Hey, great to see you again! And how's the wife? A: "Hi Murray, how's the wife?" B: "Oh, she's doing great—just got a promotion at work, in fact."
How's the wife?
Inf. a phrase used by a man when inquiring about a male friend's wife. Tom: Hi, Fred, how are you? Fred: Good. And you? Tom: Great! How's the wife? Fred: Okay, and yours? Tom: Couldn't be better. Bill: Hi, Bob. How's the wife? Bob: Doing fine. How's every little thing? Bill: Great!