the warmest of greetings

자료: http://www.englishforums.com/English/TheWarmestOfGreetings/grlcc/post.htm

Question:  

Hi teachers ,

I would appreciate it very much if you would explain to me the difference between the structure 《the + superlative + of + noun》 and the structure 《the + superlative + noun》 in the sentences below:

(a) The president received the warmest of greetings when he arrived in China .

 Why don't they say:" The president received the warmest greetings .." ?

(b) The table was covered with the whitest/best  of cloth.

 Why don't they say:" ...covered with the whitest/best  cloth."?

(c) I wish them the best of luck.

  Why don't they say:" ...wish them the best  luck."?

Thank you in advance

Answer: 

• the warmest of greetings = the warmest (possible) type of greetings, the warmest kind of greetings, the warmest form of all possible greetings
• the whitest of cloth = the whitest type of cloth
• the best of luck = the best possible outcome of luck

We add "of" to  EXPAND  and  EXTEND the meaning, to politely exaggerate and to emphasize adjective and not the object. 

1. "Of" is more poetic as well since we end the adjective with "...est" and this is too concrete, so with "of" we are sure that by adding it we will pronounce now "...estoo" and it looks like "ooh, how worm greeting we wish". 
   
   By adding "of" we make a pause and this implies that we do not just wish it, we reeally wish it or have it soo[???] white.
   
   
2. "Of" reminds to these expressions: "best of all" "whitest of all" "warmest of all" as well.
   
   I guess you have a good idea why "of" is added. 
   
   
3. With it we try not just to utter our opinion about something, but we try to clearly and anonymously state the eternal quality of something. 
   
   Observe that we say: "the warmest regards" because regards is slightly more formal than greetings. 
   
   Compare "the warmest of welcomes" or ""the warmest welcome"
   
   
4. With "of" you almost sing "worm-est [pause] of wel-come"... 
   "of" clearly extends the listener's attention on "...est"
   
   
5. "Of" asks for mental repetition of adjective:
   
   "the warmest of all warm greetings", "the warmest of all greetings that we can imagine being warm(est)"