Pronunciation: [sˈɒfts] (IPA) 
The word "softs" refers to a group or faction within a political party that is more moderate and conciliatory in their approach. The spelling of "softs" reflects how English often uses the letter "s" to indicate plurality, as in "cats" or "dogs." The word "softs" is pronounced /sɒfts/, with a short "o" sound and a voiceless "s" at the end. This emphasizes the soft, non-confrontational nature of this group within a political party.
Softs is a slang term predominantly used in the financial and commodity trading industry to refer to soft commodities. Soft commodities refer to agricultural products that are grown rather than mined, such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, cotton, and orange juice. These commodities are often characterized by their physical properties, perishability, and the method by which they are traded.
The term "softs" comes from the English word "soft," which typically describes objects or materials that are not hard or solid. In the context of trading, soft commodities differ from hard commodities like metals or energy resources. Soft commodities are usually consumed and don't have the same long-term storage or durability as hard commodities.
Traders and investors use the term "softs" to specifically identify this subset of commodities within the broader commodity market. The softs market is heavily influenced by factors such as weather conditions, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical events that can impact agricultural production. Due to their perishable nature, softs often have more volatile prices compared to hard commodities.
Softs can be traded through various financial instruments like futures contracts, options, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Traders involved in the softs market analyze fundamental and technical indicators to make informed decisions when buying or selling soft commodity contracts. Given the significance of soft commodities in global food and beverage consumption, the softs market plays a vital role in the world economy.
The word "softs" has multiple meanings and etymologies, depending on the context. Here are two possible explanations:1. In the context of politics in the United States during the mid-19th century, "Softs" referred to a faction within the Democratic Party. The term originated from the division between "Hards" and "Softs" within the party regarding their stance on patronage and other issues. The term was coined in the mid-1850s and was widely used during that period.2. Another meaning of "softs" is related to technology, particularly software or computer programs. In this context, "softs" is a shortened version of "software". The term "software" originated in the 1950s as a combination of "soft" (opposite of "hardware") and "ware" (derived from "hardware") to distinguish the intangible programs and instructions that operate on computers.
