like musical operas,soap operas are not a-
bout real people。And critics charge that they do
not represent a balanc.ed picture of reaI life.They
note that almost every one in a soap opera has a
serious emotional problem,or is guilty of a crime.
And there are several crises in every program.
Yet,soap opera fans do not care about what
the critics say.They love the programs and watch
them every day.Such loyalty has made soap op—
eras very popular in the United States.1n fact.a
few programs are so popular that they have been
produced with the same actors for many years.
Another expression that uses the word soap
is“soap box”.There was a time when soap and
other products were shipped jn wooden boxes.
The boxes were small,but strong.You could stand
on one to see over the heads in a crowd.Soap bo.
xes were a simple,easy way to make yourself tal—
Ier if you wanted to give a public speech.Such
soapbox speeches usually w.ere political.The
spea kers shouted their jdeas to a nyone who
walked by.Many talked for hours.
Today,you don’t need a wooden box to
make a soapbox speech.Anyone,anywhere,who
talks endlessly about a cause is said to be on a
soap box.
Another,quieter way to win support or gain
influence is to“soft·soap"a person.This means to
use praise or other kind words to get the person
tO do what you want.