A few years ago, I asked an older friend "How's yo hammer hangin?"
He perked up and said "Man, I have not heard that one in many, many years". He informed me that it came from the depression days, if you had work you would have your hammer hanging on the loop of your Liberty Overalls with you, if no work the hammer would be hanging back at the house. Basically, just inquiring if you were able to find work to survive!