When writing a letter, why do we start with Dear?

[Midlander]

This doesn't make much sense to me. Why use the term Dear? I would think we would reserve that for people important to us.

I'm not sure there is a good alternative, though.

 

[SSP]

"To whom it may concern..."

 

[MaverickBP]

Dear is an old term started many centuries ago (from what I remember of grade school). Google the origin of "Dear".

 

[Midlander]

Originally posted by: MaverickBP
Dear is an old term started many centuries ago (from what I remember of grade school). Google the origin of "Dear".

Interestingly enough, Googling on "dear salutation origin letter" got me a lot of information on Dear John letters, but little on why we use the term "Dear."

 

[spidey07]

I would guess it is just a way of politely requesting "please listen to what I have to say"

Nothing says respect like "Dear Mr. Spidey:"

 

[slayer202]

I believe whether or not you use a comma after the persons name signifies if you know the person or not. however this doesn't explain why we use dear. its just habit i suppose over the years