The book The General's Peasant Wife has the term "little aunt" in it. I thought I was finally getting a handle on all the things people are called, (heaven forbid they say their name outright) and now this "little aunt" comes along. So, from what I could gather the "little aunt" is the younger sister-in-law of a lady that marries into a family. But why? Why not call her "little sister-in-law" or just "little sister"? Please help. Let me know if I'm wrong. Let me know why this is a thing. And let me know if they still do this type of thing today. Thanks!
I used to think little aunt means an aunt who is younger than you or close in age, usually due to being born late or perhaps an aunt-in-law from marriage.