Correction!

This is the problem with adding non-US people to the blog - they can call your bull$%*t on British facts!
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Nate,


Enjoying your Blog posts.


Your interpretation of the first newspaper article in your latest is wrong though.

The football player in the picture is Edgar Davids a Dutch player coming back out of retirement to play again. His written article is on the left hand side of the picture. The glasses he wears are to protect his eyes as he suffers from Glaucoma.

As to Defoe's 'Soap Dodging' I’ve no idea what the article could be about, but the phrase is used to describe someone who doesn't wash frequently whether by choice or circumstance. You might call a tramp (a bum?) a 'Soap dodger'. 
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After a bit more research, I'm assured the "soap dodging" in this case is a pun combining lack of cleanliness as the joke bit and a new game schedule for Edgar Davids that will prevent the watching of soaps. I'd get into more detail, but I'm sure I've already lost the American audience (which is probably everyone but you, John).


Despite my bludgeoning of the facts, I think my original point has been reinforced, no? This stuff is not easy to understand.