E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Soapy Sam.
Samuel Wilberforee, Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards of Winchester. (1805–1873.) It is some-what remarkable that the floral decorations above the stall of the bishop and of the principal of Cuddesdon, were S. O. A. P. (the initials of Sam Oxon and Alfred Pott. When Samuel Wilber-force went to inspect the building he was dismayed at seeing his sobriquet thus perpetuated.
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Someone asking the bishop why he was so called, the bishop replied, “Because I am often in hot water, and always come out with clean hands.”
