(Early 20th century slang) To coerce someone to accept a line of reasoning or carry out an act they normally wouldn't by 'cleaning up' or hiding the requestor's ulterior motive; Fraud.
Cowboys loved a colorful phrase! This one meant flattery or blarney. Most soap at that time was "hard" or home-made. The image is of using fancy soft soap to butter someone up.
The idiom "soft soap someone" refers to the act of flattering or praising someone excessively in order to gain their favor or to persuade them to do something. It implies using charm or flattery to manipulate someone's emotions or opinions.
they mean your hands are soft, like you put lotion on.
Soft Soap - 1927 was released on: USA: 30 January 1927
An example of soft soap or flattery could be someone complimenting another person excessively or insincerely in order to gain favor or manipulate them. This could involve praising someone's accomplishments or qualities in an exaggerated or insincere way to make them feel good about themselves or to get something in return.
Soft Soap is a brand of liquid soap known for its gentle cleansing formula and moisturizing properties. It is commonly used for handwashing and is available in various scents and formulations to suit different preferences.
Arabella and the Soft Soap - 1915 is rated/received certificates of: UK:U
This means someone likes you, feels all soft and mushy around you.
They are calling you effeminate and soft.
It means you need to smell better.
Soft soap was likely first invented in ancient times by civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians. It was commonly made by mixing animal or vegetable fats with ashes to create a soap paste that was softer and easier to use than hard soap.
It separates and doesn't mix together. The soap sits at the top of the soft water. Soft water doesn't have that much minerals in it so it doesn't mix with the soap.