Fifteen Thousand Useful Phrases: A Practical Handbook of Pertinent Expressions, Striking Similes, Literary, Commercial, Conversational, and Oratorical Terms, for the Embellishment of Speech and Literature, and the Improvement of the Vocabulary of Those Persons Who Read, Write, and Speak English

Originally published in 1919, this is a curated treasury for anyone who believes that how you say something matters as much as what you say. Grenville Kleiser, a renowned elocutionist and speech trainer, assembled fifteen thousand striking phrases, vivid similes, and polished expressions meant to elevate everyday speech and written prose from merely competent to genuinely compelling. The book organizes its wealth by context: you'll find phrases for literary composition, commercial correspondence, casual conversation, and oratorical flourish. But this isn't a dry dictionary. It's a conversation with a patient, learned friend who insists that eloquence can be learned, that the right phrase at the right moment is a form of power. Whether you're drafting a speech, writing a letter, or simply tired of saying things plainly when you could say them beautifully, Kleiser offers the raw material of a more expressive voice. A century later, its warmth and ambition remain utterly relevant for anyone who uses words for a living, for passion, or for both.