"Soup lips" is a term stemming from a satirical, mythical idea about the size of the lips of people of African descent. The myth suggests that their lips are so large they could cool a pot of soup with a single breath. This is not a scientifically accurate or respectful description. The term is rooted in harmful stereotypes and should not be used.
The term "soup lips" should not be confused with other lip-related terms or cosmetic procedures, such as:
- Lip blush: A semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing technique to enhance lip color. See Reddit discussion on lip blush regrets
- Lip flip: A cosmetic procedure using Botox to create a fuller upper lip. See Glamour's article on lip flips
- Lip gloss: A cosmetic product to add shine and moisture to the lips. See REFY's lip gloss product
- Various lip-themed candies: Such as Sugarfina's Sugar Lips gummy candies. See Sugarfina's product
While some culinary references exist that might incidentally involve lips (e.g., fish lip soup), they are unrelated to the derogatory meaning of "soup lips." See eGullet Forums discussion on fish lip soup. The reference to "soup coolers" in this context highlights the origins of the term within a historical context of racist caricature. See Google Arts & Culture entry on Soup Coolers.
