one for the Gipper A highly emotional appeal for an all-out effort; an exhortation to give it one’s all for the sake of some emotionally charged cause; a sentimental pep talk. “The Gipper” was George Gipp (1895-1920), a football player at Notre Dame during the era of the renowned Knute Rockne. When it was learned that “the Gipper,” no longer on the active roster, was suffering from a fatal illness, Rockne reportedly aroused his “Fighting Irish” with the charge, “Let’s win this one for the Gipper.” As used today, the phrase more often carries associations of weepy sentimentality than of true poignancy.

soapbox orator An impassioned street orator, a vehement haranguer, a ranting, emotional speaker; also a soapboxer.

Wooden boxes or crates such as those in which soap was once packed were formerly used as temporary, makeshift platforms by street orators declaiming to crowds.

soapy Sam A smooth, honey-tongued orator. This term was first applied to Samuel Wilberforce, the Anglican Bishop of Oxford. The Cuddeson College student body, wishing to honor the bishop as well as their principal, Alfred Pott, placed floral arrangements in the form of the initials S.O.A.P. (Samuel, Oxford, Alfred, Pott) upon two pillars. The bishop was shocked to see this rather satiric display, which ultimately served to perpetuate his already common nickname. According to legend, a young girl once inquired of the bishop why he had such an unusual sobriquet. Wilberforce replied “Because I am often in hot water, and always come out with clean hands.” The expression still maintains some use as an epithet for a moralistic, unctuous speaker.

son of thunder An orator who bellows forth his beliefs in spellbinding manner; a vociferous demagogue. This expression is of Biblical origin:

The phrase alludes to the resonant, reverberating tones produced by a powerful speaker; originally, it carried no negative connotations. The expression is little used today.

tub-thumper A haranguer or ranter; an emotional, emphatic preacher or orator.

The allusion is to a declamatory speaker, especially a preacher, who repeatedly thumps the tub, a humorous and disparaging term for a pulpit. Use of this derogatory British colloquialism dates from the 17th century.