The phrase “on a soapbox” means, metaphorically, powerwul and agressive public speaking. Supposedly this came about because orators would stand on a soapbox when speaking to a large crowd, so as to be seen and heard better. But is this actually true? Have any famous historical figures actually spoken from a soapbox? Were any of history’s great speeches given from a soapbox?
Let’s try that link again
Dear Word Detective: Where does the term “soap box” come from,
Anyone remember David Duke?
Before he was the person that he is today, he spoke on top of his soap box, at free speech alley, at LSU.
He is somebody, isn’t he?
One hesitates to regard him as a “famous historical figure”, but John Major, the then Prime Minister, made a big deal of using “his soapbox” during the 1992 British general election campaign. He subsequently resurrected the box for the 1997 campaign, with somewhat less success.
Of course, Major’s use of a box was a reflection of the existing association of soapboxes with open-air speaking; if anything, he was going for the symbolism of being an old-fashioned kind of campaigner. “Back to basics” you might say.
British Prime Minister John Major famously campaigned during 1992 election from a upturned cardboard box on the street. Not an actual soap container, but close enough surely?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/low/dates/stories/march/30/newsid_3739000/3739176.stm
Beat me to it.
Damn.