What is a soap box?

Answer 1

Literally a wooden box that soap was packaged in many years ago. But it was a light transportable strong box and so was used to stand on - and because people on the street (and famously at Soap Box Corner in Hyde Park, London) would stand on one to preach, do trade or talk about anything , the phrase 'get on your soapbox' means these days to speak out about something you have an opinion on, especially when you think you are knowledgable about something, or angry even. An FYI answer from alcyone Another one you might have heard in American politics is the term "stumping". A candidate for office in early times would stand on the stumps of trees so they could be seen and heard better. Thus we hear how candidates are out stumping in Iowa this week. Soap boxes were more easily moved than stumps. ;-)

Answer 2

A soap box is a raised platform that someone stands on to give an impassioned speech or rant about a particular topic. It originated from the practice of using actual soap crates as impromptu stages for street corner speeches. The term is now used metaphorically to refer to any vocal expression of strong opinions in a public setting.