A word that describes the polite phrases we use to begin our letters
How can we refer to the polite phrase used at the beginning of a letter (email in my specific context)?
For example, we may start our letter:
Dear Bob, I hope that you're well and had a nice weekend.
If we want to make reference to the line
I hope that you're well and had a nice weekend
in such a way that we could say:
I often wonder how to begin a letter of bad news, but my [interjection] stands genuine non the less
The term "interjection" doesn't seem like a good fit here. Is there a word that describes the polite phrases we often use to begin our letters?
Either 'greeting' or 'salutation' would fit.
From the online dictionary, meaning 3 is appropriate:
sal·u·ta·tion (sly-tshn) n.
- a. A polite expression of greeting or goodwill. b. salutations Greetings indicating respect and affection; regards.
- A gesture of greeting, such as a bow or kiss.
- A word or phrase of greeting used to begin a letter or message.
pleasantries
plural of pleas·ant·ry (Noun)
A polite social utterance; a civility: exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.
Upon reading the question, my mind immediatly jumped to 'preamble'.
pre·am·ble
/ˈprēˌambəl/A preliminary or preparatory statement; an introduction. The introductory part of a statute or deed, stating its purpose, aims, and justification. Synonyms preface - introduction - proem - foreword - prelude
I don't know of a word that describes this kind of remark (sentence) when it is made in a written context such as a letter. On the other hand, the term phatic is used to describe similar sorts of remarks when they are spoken. "How are you?" is frequently used as a phatic utterance; consider, for example, the telephone sales-person who greets you when you answer the phone with "Hello Ms Smith, How are you today?" The correct (social) response is "Fine, thank you", not a truthful answer that describes your state of well-being. The reason is that the question is phatic; that is (to quote the OED), "it serves to establish or maintain social relationships rather than to impart information, communicate ideas".