The earliest known use of “thank you kindly” is from a 16th-century theatrical work. It was an elaboration of the phrase “I think of you kindly” before it was shortened to “I thank you”.
When you say "thank you kindly", the adverb is describing how you are thanking them, so you're basically saying "I'm being kind"
Submitted 2 months ago by pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de to showerthoughts@lemmy.world
Comments
Diddlydee@feddit.uk 2 months ago
echo@lemmings.world 2 months ago
Although you’re generally correct with “kindly” basically being the same as “very much”, you’re missing the passive aggressive version with the remainder of the thought unspoken.
“Thank you, kindly” (go fuck yourself)
Dionysus@leminal.space 2 months ago
Ah, so fuck off kindly is a much better way to use this.
cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
“Kindly. Thank you.” Those elephant looking aliens on Mass Effect who start every sentence with the emotion they’re speaking with because they can’t speak with any inflection.
TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zip 2 months ago
Thank you, Kindly.
pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de 2 months ago
Hi Kindly, I’m dad.
Wait, that didn’t really work…
AngularViscosity@piefed.social 2 months ago
so you’re basically saying
"I’m being kind"“I’m most likely Indian”🤭
I don’t think I’ve heard people from other places end their sentences like that.
reddig33@lemmy.world 2 months ago
The adverb is on the verb in this sentence, not the noun. You are saying I thank you, and how I thank you is kindly (gratefully or with grace). As opposed to thanking someone snidely or backhandedly.
pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de 2 months ago
This is exactly what I’m saying - “How I thank you is kindly” i.e. “I’m being kind in the way I’m thanking you”