I have to research something about bread and butter letters, but I have no idea what it means. I think it's pretty old, though...
2007-01-30 11:17:35 · 5 answers · asked by Julian the Mananoo!!! OMG 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It means a thank you note, written in appreciation for having attended a social event, or for a favor done, or for having received a gift.
2007-01-30 11:20:51 · answer #1 · answered by Uncle John 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
On a different track it may refer to "A Small Bit of Bread and Butter: Letters from the Dakota Territories 1832-1839". It was a book of letters compiled by Maida Riggs.
2007-01-30 11:28:32 · answer #2 · answered by valet4u2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoa...I'm no "spring chicken" but neither have I heard this idiom before. Still, I found a definition at this site.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0351417.html
which states that it is "an expression of thanks [to someone] for hospitality [shown]"....lots of help, huh!!! LOL
This site says little, but shows it as c1900 (circa 1900)
http://www.answers.com/topic/bread-and-butter%20letter
Ooooh, some etiquette from Emily Post (c1922)...
http://www.bartleby.com/95/27.html
To find the particular area on the page, CLICK on EDIT on the tool bar, CLICK on FIND TEXT IN WEB PAGE, type the word butter in the window and click next. I think I only had to click "Find next" one time to be take to Emily's comments and examples.
Well, I think I've run out of useful sites.
Hope these help!!
Lee
2007-01-30 11:54:00 · answer #3 · answered by DLee1210 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i read in a book the grandma made the little boy write a bread and butter letter and she refered to it as a thank you letter.
2007-01-30 11:21:35 · answer #4 · answered by jkl; 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Essentially any thank you letter for an occasion spent, a meal shared.
2007-01-30 11:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by colinchief 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋