thank-you-ma'am

noun

ˈthaŋk-yu̇-ˌmam How to pronounce thank-you-ma'am (audio)
-(y)ē-
: a bump or depression in a road
especially : a ridge or hollow made across a road on a hillside to cause water to run off

Word History

Etymology

probably from its causing a nodding of the head

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thank-you-ma'am was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near thank-you-ma'am

thank-you

thank-you-ma'am

Thant

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Thank-you-ma'am.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank-you-ma%27am. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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