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Putnam’s Phrase Book
An Aid to Social Letter Writing and toReady and Effective Conversation, withOver 100 Model Social Lettersand 6000 of the World’sBest English Phrases
Compiled and Arranged by
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
New York and London
The Knickerbocker Press
1921
Copyright, 1919
BY
EDWIN HAMLIN CARR
Printed in the United States of America
FOREWORD
Since we talk in phrases as well as in wordsevery home needs a phrase book as well as adictionary.
This book has been prepared to meet that need,and contains a dictionary of six thousand choicephrases arranged synonymously for general use;many polite expressions, phrases of charm andcourtesy, for use in letter writing; one hundredsample social letters, including instruction concerningthe method of their preparation by theuse of the dictionary of phrases; a guide to choicephrases for social letter writing; and finally, ahandy index, very helpful, even though the phraseshave been arranged in dictionary form.
I have made an effort to emphasize phrasesof commendation, optimism, and courtesy. Alsomany for use in letter writing——especially phrasessuitable for letters of condolence. There is perhapsno more difficult letter to write than oneof condolence, hence a considerable numberunder this designation in order to assist in thisnecessary and yet most blessed task.
The primary purpose of this book is that itmay serve as a synonymous phrase dictionary,yet I have so planned it that it can also be used[iv]as a social letter writer. The dictionary ofphrases is to be used in letter writing in connectionwith the sample letters. In case thesample letters are not desirable, the instructionsand guide, upon pp. 275-81 will show how to usethe book when one desires to write his own socialletters.
Some of the social letters were written by usingthe phrases in the dictionary section of the book;others were suggested by the perusal of the same.
The very fact that one keeps his eyes open fornew expressions tends to make him more carefulof his own phraseology, and to encourage theconstant improvement of his own style either bythe addition of old phrases, new to him, or by thecoining of new ones.
Whenever and wherever I have found in anyvolume, magazine, newspaper, or in conversation,a usable phrase I have made note of it.This method has given me the material for thebook. As far as possible I have endeavored tocollect phrases which are the common speech ofall, phrases which are not quotations, and arethe property of all.
I am very greatly indebted to all I have heardand read, especially to the standard authors.
I have included and located a goodly numberof phrases from Shakespeare and the Bible.
E. H.