Thankee
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "thankee" means "thank you." It’s an old-fashioned, affectionate way of showing gratitude, often paired with "kindly" or "much obliged."
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synonyms: thank you, much obliged
Hillbilly Dude Says...
"Thankee kindly, ma’am."
Said with a nod, a smile, and the kind of manners you can’t fake. Pronunciation
[THANG-kee] /ˈθæŋ.ki/
Meaning & Usage
- Expression of gratitude
Ray:
Here, I brought you some beans.
Here, I brought you some beans.
Earl:
Well, thankee kindly.
Well, thankee kindly.variations: thank’ee, thank ye, thanky
Origin and Etymology
Comes from early English "thank ye" or "thank’ee," meaning "I thank you." The form carried through early American speech and settled deeply into Southern and Appalachian dialect, where courtesy and warmth color the sound of gratitude.
Usage Notes
Still heard from older speakers and in rural areas, or used playfully by younger folks mimicking mountain manners.
- "Thankee kindly for the pie." → sincere thanks.
- "Much obliged, thankee." → polite appreciation.