Soapbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the race car, see soapbox (car)
A soapbox is a raised, improvised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. The word arises from olden times when speakers would literally stand on a box of soap or a similar item to gain height.
The term is also used metaphorically to describe a person engaging in often flamboyant impromptu or nonofficial public speaking, as in the phrases "He's on his soapbox", or "Get off of your soapbox."
Hyde Park, London is famous for its Sunday soapbox orators, who have assembled at Speaker's Corner since 1872 to speak about religion, politics, or even shoe sizes.
[edit] Modern soapboxes
A modern form of the soapbox is a blog, a website on which a user can easily publish their thoughts to whoever reads their page.
[edit] See also
Look up soapbox in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
