bread-and-butter letter

Idioms  

1. A thank-you letter from guest to host. For example, Mother always had to remind the children to send Grandma a bread-and-butter note. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

And so the "bread-and-butter" letter went to Mr. and Mrs. Geary both, and was kept and treasured by them as one of their choicest possessions.

From Marjorie at Seacote by Wells, Carolyn

Within ten days after her departure the guest should write a bread-and-butter letter to her hostess.

From Book of Etiquette, Volume 2 by Watson, Lillian Eichler

"A bread-and-butter letter; Mother says it's all right."

From Marjorie at Seacote by Wells, Carolyn

He had arrived at this extreme before he received the note from Mrs. Birkwall, which she made his prompt bread-and-butter letter the excuse of writing him.

From A Pair of Patient Lovers by Howells, William Dean

"Mother," said Marjorie, the next day, "what is a bread-and-butter letter?"

From Marjorie at Seacote by Wells, Carolyn