Why do people say ... ? The Tenerife Forum "where did that saying come from" thread.

[Geordiecraig]

how did the phrase "on my soapbox" come about?! I know what iot means but doesnt mean I understand it!!

[hopper]

Not sure but didn't the speakers at speakers corner in London stand on a soapbox?

[JayJay]

That’s right Hopper, in Hyde Park I believe.

[obs]

Literally, a soap box was a wooden crate used to deliver soap. Empty, it made a convenient platform to raise a speaker slightly above his audience so that he might be seen and heard. Simple.
Hope this helps

[bluemoon]

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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[ainsie]

At the risk of sounding a bit simple.....

, we understand , its your newcastle accent

[mac]

OK then does anyone know where the expression "its raining cats and dogs" comes from.
(Its actually doing it at the moment here)

[ainsie]

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/r...nd%20dogs.html

Try this

[Rolzysmum]

Originally Posted by ainsie

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/r...nd%20dogs.html

Try this

......but it didn't have "Cold enough for a walking-stick" or "More (insert your own noun) than you can shake a stick at"

What's that all about?

[cinnamon]

Originally Posted by Rolzysmum

......"More (insert your own noun) than you can shake a stick at"

What's that all about?

i suggest janet is the right person to answer that one