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Origin of phrase

Posted by Bob on August 25, 2000

In Reply to: Origin of phrase posted by kim on August 25, 2000

: what is origin or the phrase on "my soap box"

soap was delivered to stores years ago in sturdy wooden crates, which were recycled for many purposes (e.g., the Soap Box Derby, where children once made racing cars by attaching wheels to the basic box. Nowadays of course, their parents fund fiberglass molds for body parts, etc.) But one of the best uses for a soap box was as a portable "stage" for an orator to stand on, to rise above a crowd and make speeches. It was democracy at its most basic: get on your soap box, and harangue the assembled listeners.

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