Putnam's Phrase Book: An Aid to Social Letter Writing and to Ready and Effective Conversation, with Over 100 Model Social Letters and 6000 of the World's Best English Phrases

In Short

This book is a comprehensive reference tool designed for the early 20th-century reader seeking to navigate the complexities of social interaction and letter writing. It functions as a hybrid: part thesaurus of thematic phrases and part manual for composing formal letters. By categorizing thousands of expressions—from the commendatory to the apologetic—the work aims to elevate the user's conversational style and ease the burden of writing sensitive correspondence. It has lasted as a fascinating time capsule of a more deliberate, formal era of communication.

The Story

The volume begins with a clear, utilitarian mission: to provide the reader with a "dictionary of six thousand choice phrases." The author, Edwin Hamlin Carr, approaches language as a craft that can be improved through systematic study and the emulation of standard authors, including Shakespeare and the Bible. He presents his collection not merely as a list, but as a toolkit for personal and professional development.

The arc of the book moves from general conversational improvement to the specific, often daunting, requirements of social correspondence. Carr emphasizes that phrases of "commendation, optimism, and courtesy" are the pillars of effective interaction. He guides the reader through various states of human connection, providing linguistic templates for expressing everything from "Commendatory" praise to "Condolence"—which he acknowledges as the most difficult of all writing tasks.

As the reader progresses, the book shifts from simple phrasing to the practical application of these tools. It offers over one hundred model letters, serving as blueprints for the reader to follow. These range from simple letters of thanks and invitation to the more delicate communications regarding the death of a soldier or the internment of a loved one. The author encourages readers to use these models as a foundation, while also providing instructions on how to synthesize the dictionary entries to craft their own unique, yet socially appropriate, correspondence.

The middle and later sections delve into the nuances of human sentiment and social conflict. The author includes categories for "Opposition" and "Ridiculing," showing the reader how to remain firm without sacrificing decorum. The collection concludes with an extensive guide to French phrases—a nod to the linguistic sophistication expected of the era—and a detailed index, ensuring that no matter the occasion, the reader can find the precise, "choice" expression required. The journey ends not just with a completed letter, but with a refined sense of one's own voice, transformed by the steady application of the author’s principles of "lucid expression" and "literary charm."

How It Unfolds

The foundation of speech The text opens by establishing the necessity of a phrase book, arguing that just as one uses a dictionary for words, one needs a guide for the "phrases of charm and courtesy" that define meaningful social interaction. The author sets the stage by inviting the reader to view language as a collection of properties owned by all, drawing inspiration from standard literature.

The dictionary of sentiment The core of the book organizes language into thematic categories, such as "Commendatory," "Contented," and "Courage," allowing the reader to find expressions tailored to specific emotional or social contexts. Each category provides a diverse array of options, from simple, direct statements to more poetic, flowery descriptions.

The art of the letter The focus shifts to the practical construction of social letters, providing templates for common occurrences like acceptances, regrets, and gifts. These models are designed to be customizable, with the author offering clear instructions on how to weave his dictionary of phrases into the fabric of a personal message.

Handling life’s trials The book addresses more somber requirements, including detailed templates for letters of condolence and sympathy. These sections are treated with particular care, reflecting the author’s belief that such letters are a "most blessed task" requiring both delicacy and strength.

The final index The work concludes with a comprehensive index that links every emotion, situation, and topic to its corresponding phrases. This final beat ensures the book remains a functional, lifelong resource for the reader, providing a "road into his kindness" that prevents the user from ever losing their way in conversation.

The People

The book is populated by the "General Reader," the central figure for whom the author acts as a mentor. This reader is someone who desires to be "fair-spoken and persuading" but often struggles to find the right words to express complex emotions or social obligations. They are characterized by a desire for self-improvement and a need for structure in their social life.

Standing in the way of this reader is the "difficulty of expression," a common hurdle that leads to awkwardness, silence, or the unintended offense. The author serves as the guide, standing between the reader and the "limbo of" poor communication. By providing a "clean-cut expression," the author removes the pressure of composition, allowing the reader to replace uncertainty with the confidence of established, socially accepted phrasing.

The author, Edwin Hamlin Carr, acts not as a distant authority but as a collector of the world's best English. He is a man of "unswerving fidelity" to the goal of improving the reader's style. He is neither a harsh critic nor a distant academic; rather, he is a helpful companion who believes that by keeping one’s eyes open for new expressions, one can become more careful and refined. Through the book, the reader ends up differently than they began: they are no longer left to "whittle away the time" searching for words, but instead possess a "wealth of picturesque language" that allows them to participate more fully in the "luxury of talk."

In Its Own Voice

The very fact that one keeps his eyes open for new expressions tends to make him more careful of his own phraseology, and to encourage the constant improvement of his own style.

The author explains the primary benefit of using a phrase book, emphasizing that the habit of observation is just as important as the reference material itself.

I have made an effort to emphasize phrases of commendation, optimism, and courtesy.

In his foreword, the author clarifies his editorial philosophy, signaling to the reader that the focus is on building positive, constructive social connections.

There is perhaps no more difficult letter to write than one of condolence, hence a considerable number under this designation in order to assist in this necessary and yet most blessed task.

The author acknowledges the emotional weight of certain types of correspondence, providing a rationale for why he dedicated a significant portion of the book to helping readers navigate grief.

What It's Really About

The book is an argument for the power and social necessity of deliberate language. It posits that human relationships are maintained through a constant, careful negotiation of etiquette, and that language is the primary tool of this negotiation. Underlying the text is the belief that social anxiety often stems from a lack of vocabulary, and that by mastering the "art of conversation," one can achieve a state of "sweet reasonableness." It explores the idea that kindness is a discipline—a skill that can be practiced and perfected through the use of specific, high-minded phrases. Ultimately, the work asks: how can we live more beautifully and harmoniously? The answer, according to the author, lies in the "clean phrase and no frills."

Why Read It Today

Those who love language, history, or the study of manners will find this book an invaluable, if slightly idiosyncratic, companion. Reading it feels like stepping into a parlor in 1921, where the air is thick with the expectations of civility and the desire to be "fair-spoken." It offers a rare glimpse into a time when a well-turned phrase was considered an essential component of one's character, and when the act of letter writing was a "blessed task" rather than a hurried chore.

Modern readers should be prepared for the book’s inherent period attitudes. The language is formal, sometimes bordering on the performative, and its reliance on religious and Shakespearean references reflects a specific, traditional worldview. Some of the expressions may strike a modern ear as overly sentimental or stiffly Victorian. However, these "difficulties" are precisely what make the book worth reading today. It captures a lost rhythm of communication that is both charming and, in its own way, deeply comforting. You will come away with a profound appreciation for the precision of the English language and perhaps a newfound desire to slow down, choose your words with care, and offer a bit more "sunshine" in your own letters and conversations.