Did you mean thank you ma'am?
Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A bump or depression in a road.
Etymologies
- From its causing the head to nod as though in acknowledgment of a favor.
Examples
“It was a "thank-you-ma'am" in the middle of the road that caused”
“She did not know till much later that owing to the thank-you-ma'am which they reached simultaneously with the word "suddenly" that when”
“Thus we do not believe that she willfully drove over every rut and thank-you-ma'am on the road, scattering us generously over the tonneau, and finally, when Aggie, who was the lighter, was tossed against the top and sprained her neck, eliciting a protest from us.”
“Thus we do not believe that she willfully drove over every rut and thank-you-ma'am on the road, scattering us generously over the tonneau, and finally, when”
“Offshore, with Washington in control of the global seas and skies, with its ability to kick down the world's doors and strike just about anywhere without a by-your-leave or thank-you-ma'am, it hopes for better.”
Lists
‘thank-you-ma'am’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
sionnach A hollow or rut across a road that causes the people in a vehicle passing over it to nod involuntarily, the way one might do in acknowledging a favor and expressing thanks.
The alternate spelling thank'ee-marm is also used. Jul 29, 2008