You’re Soaking In It

Ah, Madge, the chatty manicurist who worked in the 'Salon East Beauty Parlor' in the classic Palmolive commercials.

Do you remember her? If you’re around my age, you probably do.

She would secretly soak her customer’s fingernails in Palmolive dishwashing liquid, and tell them to use it because it “softens your hands while you do the dishes”.  Then she’d shock them by saying “You’re soaking in it”, her trademark line, which became one of the most famous and parodied television commercial quotes.

Here’s a clip of that commercial:



The Madge character was popular around the world. In France she was “Francoise”, in Germany, Switzerland and Austria she was “Tilly”, and in Finland she was “Marissa”.

The Palmolive ads featuring Madge the Manicurist appeared in print and on television for 27 years, from 1966 to 1992, and were played by actress Jan Miner who died in 2004 at the age of 86. She was a radio, television, film and stage actress, but she was best known as ‘Madge’ the wisecracking manicurist.

Till this day, I still catch myself using the quote “You’re soaking in it”, now and again.