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."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #Southern

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.

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.

Earl:

Well, thankee kindly.

variations: thank’ee, thank ye, thanky

★ If you're not from around here, just respond 'Spanky' and see what happens. ★

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.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "thankee" mean?

It’s a friendly, old-fashioned way to say "thank you."

Is it still used today?

Yes, though mostly in the South, Appalachia, or by folks who grew up hearing it from older generations.

Where did it come from?

It’s a shortened form of "thank ye," brought from early English speech and preserved in Southern dialect.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 17). Thankee. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/thankee
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Thankee." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/thankee.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Thankee." HillbillySlang.com. October 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/thankee.