Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Flattery; blarney: used in the phrase soft sawder.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A corrupt spelling and pronunciation of solder.
  • noun [Slang] seductive praise; flattery; blarney.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • His knowledge of “soft sawder and human natur” is as great as that of Sam Slick, his inimitable representative; and many a shoeless Irish girl is induced to change

    The Englishwoman in America 2007

  • It concerns the phrase "soft sawder", meaning the same as "soft soap" and coined in the 19th century by Judge Haliburton of Nova Scotia.

    languagehat.com: SOLDER. 2004

  • It seems from the evidence that soft sawder very quickly caught on in North America, and soon enough across the Atlantic in Britain, too.

    languagehat.com: SOLDER. 2004

  • The Governor made kindly remarks on the hospital, which fluent Mr. Ng Choy doubtless rendered into the most fulsome flattery; the chairman complimented the Governor, and unlimited “soft sawder,” in Oriental fashion, passed all round.

    The Golden Chersonese and the way thither Isabella Lucy 2004

  • I think it's getting into regional and class variations: "sohlder" would be extreme RP, "sawder" quite plausible in a strong rural Devon accent.

    languagehat.com: SOLDER. 2004

  • “We are not formally engaged,” had given little comfort, since the General had added, “That was soft sawder.”

    Flowering Wilderness 2004

  • But with an abundance of soft sawder with which he is most generous.

    Time and Again Finney, Jack 1995

  • I didn't know what "soft sawder" was, but learned later that "soft solder" was the phrase and that it meant exaggerated speech or flattery or both.

    Time and Again Finney, Jack 1995

  • Why, then, do you waste so much energy, and money, and civility, and 'soft-sawder,' to preserve the vulpine race?

    Kate Coventry An Autobiography G. J. Whyte-Melville

  • "None of your soft-sawder, Master Frank," replied the old lady; "I will do what I can to make your peace, as I promised; but, as to anything further, you must be a man, and speak up for yourself."

    She and I, Volume 1

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