soapflake

English

Etymology

soap +‎ flake

Noun

soapflake (plural soapflakes)

1. (mostly plural) Soap in the form of dried flakes, formerly used for washing clothes.
   • 2013, Gloria Callaway, Abigail Leach, Mary Kear, Teaching Art & Design in the Primary School, page 42:

     A tablespoon of glycerine makes it glossy, or half a cup of soapflakes makes it lumpy.

   • 2002, Bob Franklin, Social Policy, the Media and Misrepresentation, page 20:

     Government policies seemed to be no easier to sell than soapflakes: indeed advertising budgets have been considerably greater.

Usage notes

• In the singular, generally attributive, e.g. a soapflake box.