Where did the term “soap opera” originate?
The term “soap opera” originated from the fact that when these serial dramas were aired on daytime radio, the commercials aired during the shows were largely aimed at housewives. Many of the products sold during these commercials were laundry and cleaning items, and included a jingle praising the product. This specific type of radio drama came to be associated with these particular commercials, and this gave rise to the term “soap opera” — a melodramatic story that aired commercials for soap products.
