SOFT SOAP Meaning and
Definition
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Soft soap is a noun that refers to a substance or product used for cleaning, typically composed of water, soap, and fats. It is characterized by its smooth and viscous consistency which makes it easy to spread and apply onto surfaces for effective cleansing. Soft soap is usually produced by saponification, a chemical reaction between oils or fats and an alkaline solution, resulting in the formation of soap. It was traditionally made by boiling animal fats with wood ashes or alkalis, and nowadays, it is commonly manufactured commercially.
Notably, soft soap has also come to have a figurative meaning, serving as a verb. To "soft soap" someone means to flatter or charm them excessively, often with the intention of manipulating or coaxing them into acting in a certain way. In this context, soft soap is used metaphorically to describe the act of sweet-talking or ingratiating oneself with another person to gain favor or achieve a desired outcome.
Overall, soft soap encompasses both the literal cleaning product and its figurative meaning. While the former denotes a substance used for cleaning, the latter signifies the art of flattery or persuasion. The term soft soap can vary in usage, context, and connotation, but ultimately refers to a means to cleanse or influence in some form.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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A semi-fluid soap of a dirty brownish-yellow colour, made with potash instead of soda.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SOFT SOAP *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SOFT SOAP
- aoft soap
- zoft soap
- xoft soap
- doft soap
- eoft soap
- woft soap
- sift soap
- skft soap
- slft soap
- spft soap
- s0ft soap
- s9ft soap
- sodt soap
- soct soap
- sovt soap
- sogt soap
- sott soap
- sort soap
- sofr soap
Etymology of SOFT SOAP
The etymology of the word "soft soap" relates to 19th-century American slang. At that time, "soft soap" referred to a specific kind of soap made with potassium hydroxide and used for shaving. The term then evolved figuratively to suggest flattery or persuasive speech, that is, "soft-soaping" someone with sweet-talking or compliments. Thus, "soft soap" became a metaphorical expression for insincere praise or ingratiating behavior.
Idioms with the word SOFT SOAP
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soft soap
To flatter or persuade someone with insincere praise or excessive compliments in order to manipulate them or gain favor.
Similar spelling words for SOFT SOAP
- soft goods,
- soft-shoe,
- soft glass,
- soft scale,
- soft-soap,
- soft solder,
- soft coal,
- softish,
- soft-spoken,
- soft sell,
- soft spot.
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