Green’s Dictionary of Slang

thank you very much, often ironic.

1961		H. Ellison Rockabilly (1963) 62: By the way, thanks a bunch, Rapunzel.
1976		H. Leonard Time Was (1981) Act II: And thanks a bundle.
1979		G. Swarthout Skeletons 33: Thanks a bunch.
1986		F. Taylor Auf Wiedersehen Pet Two 170: Thanks a bunch.
1988		M. Atwood Cat’s Eye (1989) 258: Thanks a bundle.
1993		Tarantino & Avery Pulp Fiction [film script] 124: And Jimmie, thanks a bunch.
1997		(con. 1950s) J. Byrne Slab Boys [film script] 73: Fancied whit, a heart attack? Thanks a bundle.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 184: Top of the morning to ya, Gene, thanks a bunch, thanks a fuckin million.

(orig. US) thank you very much, occas. ironic.

1915		Motion Picture 9 133: .Blue-eyed Betty. — Thanks a heap for the fee. Your poem was passed to the Editor.
1925		Amer. Legion Auxiliary 1 8: Thanks a heap, girls, for going out into this heat and bringing in these last necessary members.
1934		L.E. Theiss Mail Pilot of Caribbean 148: ‘You be my guest tonight. And if our home pleases you, make it your Havana home.’ ‘Thanks a heap,’ said Ginger.
1944		M. Worthington Sally, Army Dietician 205: Thanks a heap, Lucy. I’ll go over to quarters and [...] wait for Bill to call.
1953		C. Martin Cowboy Charley 11: Thanks a heap, Nelson.

1. thanks a mil.

2. thank you very much, often ironic.

1935		J. O’Hara Butterfield 8 108: ‘Good night,’ she said, ‘and thanks a million’.
1952		W.R. Burnett Little Men, Big World 216: The driver took the bill, starting slightly when he saw its denomination. ‘Okay, mister. Thanks a million.’.
1963		G. Lambert Inside Daisy Clover (1966) 220: ‘Thanks a million,’ I said.
1967		P. Thomas Down These Mean Streets (1970) 72: Thanks a mil, sir.
1973		P. Wilson N.Z. Jack 187: Thanks a million, Fred.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 184: Top of the morning to ya, Gene, thanks a bunch, thanks a fuckin million.

(Irish) thank you very much, often ironic.

1970		D. Ponicsan Last Detail 157: Thanks a shitpotful.
1998		P. McCabe Breakfast on Pluto 60: Thanks a whole pile, fucking Whiskers!

a phr. of annoyance and contempt.

1887

‘’Arry on His Critics’ in Punch 17 Dec. 280/2: Well, thankye for nothing, my joker.

(US) thank you; the inference is usu. sarcastic.

1926		Maines & Grant Wise-crack Dict. 15/1: Thanks for the buggy ride – You’re crazy.
1930		E. Glyn Flirt and Flapper 132: : Flapper: Billy Banks offered her only a Ranch in California — and she said ‘Thanks for the buggy ride!’.
1984		Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 1215: [...] C.20.

see ta muchly! excl.