The Hebrew term borith is a general term for any substance of cleansing qualities. As, however, it appears in (Jeremiah 2:22) in contradistinction to nether, which undoubtedly means "natron" or mineral alkali, it is fair to infer that borith refers to vegetable alkali, or some kind of potash, which forms one of the usual ingredients in our soap. Numerous plants capable of yielding alkalies exist in Palestine and the surrounding countries; we may notice one named hubeibeh (the Salsola kali of botanists) found near the Dead Sea, the ashes of which are called el-kuli, from their strong alkaline properties.
A lock of hair made to lie smooth by soaping it. Hence also a name given to a low set of fellows who...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
Flattery; blarney. A vulgar phrase, though much used. to soft soap To flatter; to blarney. I am t...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.