Soft soap
Posted by ESC on February 17, 2009 at 13:24
In Reply to: Soft soap posted by Graham Cambray on February 16, 2009 at 20:59:
: : Do you know the origin of the phrase "to soft soap"?
: .
: At www.answers.com they have:
: This colloquial expression alludes to liquid soap, likening its slippery quality to insincere flattery. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1830.
: (GC)
Stuart Berg Flexner, in two references, says it dates back to 1830. But no further details.