English Explanatory Dictionary

bread-and-butter

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Alternative form of bread and butter.
adj
  1. Relating to basic sustenance or the requirements for everyday living.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bread, and, butter.
intj
  1. A general saying used to ward off bad luck
  2. A saying specifically used to ward off bad luck when separating hands to walk either side of a tree

Word forms

bread-and-butter more bread-and-butter most bread-and-butter

Etymology

Reflecting that bread and butter are archetypally basic foodstuffs (daily necessities) in the places where the English language developed; compare daily bread, put bread on the table, earn one's bread, bread and water (as prisoners' diet or poverty diet), and know which side one's bread is buttered on.

Related words

bread-and-butter issue bread-and-butter letter bread-and-butter note bread-and-butter pickle bread-and-butter plate bread-and-butter pudding
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