Words of Thanks

My uncle Stathi is an enthusiastic etymologist. In simpler English, he enjoys studying the meanings, origins, and histories of words. During a visit several weeks ago, he reflected on the meaning of the Greek word for giving thanks, ευχαριστώ (eucharisto). Had I ever considered, he asked in wide-eyed wonder, the different shades of meaning for this verb as it is expressed in different languages? 

Even if I had, it would have been a sin to stop Uncle Stathi from speaking, possessed as he was by enthusiasm. He went on to compare the words for giving thanks in three linguistic families, German–English, French, and Greek. The German and English words, he said, suggest that remembrance is an aspect of thankfulness.¹ They are almost as if to say, “I will remember with thankfulness what you’ve done for me.” The French word, he said, conveys the sense that I will pay you back for what you’ve done for me.² The Greek word, finally, suggests the connotation of “true joy” in the expression of thanks.³

As we two former English teachers shared this moment of linguistic nerdiness, sitting at the simple table on which a small stack of dictionaries rested, I marveled at how many meanings there are in the experience and expression of thanks, and how these meanings are conveyed in the many languages of humanity. If the phrase “thank you” is a gemstone, its glittering facets are the many languages of planet Earth. And he only mentioned three of them! I welcome you, dear reader, to share your own linguistic insights on this topic. I would be delighted to learn them.

This most recent trip to Greece was filled with moments for which I am thankful—this conversation with my uncle, passing time with my cousins, the opportunity to venerate holy relics and wonderworking icons on Mount Athos. And when I think of the day I spent with my dear friend Konstantinos, who could not have been more generous in the gifts he gave me, both the words “merci” and ευχαριστώ come to mind. But perhaps the most powerful memory I have from this trip was the thankfulness of a group of monks with whom I shared a rustic snack after we had spent a few hours harvesting olives on a mountainside. Theirs was the “true joy” of people who have received gifts that cannot be repaid—forgiveness and grace—and who know they will be remembered by God even when their own memories fail.

Whatever language you speak, I hope this season brings such an abundance of thankfulness to you that you cannot help expressing it far into 2022, not just on the day of Thanksgiving but every day.

¹ https://www.etymonline.com/word/thank#etymonline_v_10711

² https://www.etymonline.com/word/mercy?ref=etymonline_crossreference#etymonline_v_14664

³ https://www.etymonline.com/word/Eucharist#etymonline_v_11671