<P> `` Bread and butter '' is a superstitious blessing or charm , typically said by young couples or friends walking together when they are forced to separate by an obstacle , such as a pole or another person . By saying the phrase , the bad luck of letting something come between them is thought to be averted . Both walkers must say the phrase , and if they do not do this , then a bitter quarrel is expected to occur . Many believe that the person who splits the pole has to say it first , that is wrong The concept derives from the difficulty of separating butter from bread once it has been spread -- buttered bread can not be `` unbuttered '' . Another phrase used in this way is `` salt and pepper '' . </P>
<P> `` Bread and butter '' is a superstitious blessing or charm , typically said by young couples or friends walking together when they are forced to separate by an obstacle , such as a pole or another person . By saying the phrase , the bad luck of letting something come between them is thought to be averted . Both walkers must say the phrase , and if they do not do this , then a bitter quarrel is expected to occur . Many believe that the person who splits the pole has to say it first , that is wrong The concept derives from the difficulty of separating butter from bread once it has been spread -- buttered bread can not be `` unbuttered '' . Another phrase used in this way is `` salt and pepper '' . </P>
where did the term bread and butter come from
where did the term bread and butter come from
the difficulty of separating butter from bread once it has been spread -- buttered bread can not be `` unbuttered ''
the difficulty of separating butter from bread once it has been spread -- buttered bread can not be `` unbuttered ''