The Origin of Thankfulness

The word “thankful” is emblazoned in chalk paint on living room walls, faded but legible on gravy splattered aprons, and screamingly bright on neon signs, but what does that word really mean? And where did it come from?

Quoting from the Online Etymology Dictionary ( https://www.etymonline.com/word/thankful ):

Old English þancful "satisfied, grateful," also "thoughtful, ingenious, clever" (a sense now obsolete); from thank (n.), for which see thanks and thank (v.), + -ful. Related: Thankfully; thankfulness.

Also from late Old English to c. 1600 as "worthy or deserving of thanks" but now obsolete in this sense. Thank-worthy "deserving of praise or reward" is recorded from c. 1400; thankable "deserving of thanks" is from mid-15c. Old English had þancweorþ, "worth thanks," of an activity.

Thankfully is from Old English (þancfullice), "willingly, gladly, with pleasure;" in the sense of "thankful to say" it is attested by 1966, but deplored by purists (compare hopefully).

But as we know, feeling thankful more than a definition; it’s just that, a feeling. Over the years, as our experiences and connections with others grow and change, we have more and more opportunities to add to our well of thankfulness.

This Thanksgiving, I hope your well bubbles and gurgles and sloshes over with the joy that comes from being thankful.