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sod

noun, verb, intj and 1 more — 14 senses

sod

noun

UK /sɒd/ · US /sɑd/

Etymology From Middle English sod, sodde first attested in the mid-15th century, from Middle Dutch zoden (“turf”) or Middle Low German sôde, soede (“turf”), both related to Dutch zode (“turf”), German Sode (“turf”), Old Frisian sātha (“sod”), all being of uncertain ultimate origin.

1

The stratum of the surface of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass, or any portion of that surface; turf; sward.

  • She there shall dress a sweeter sod / Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.1746, William Collins, Ode written in the year 1746:
  • They are said to celebrate there every returning spring a great nocturnal festival. On the sod at its brink is spread a table-cloth white as the driven snow, covered with the most delicious viands.1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 432:
2

Turf grown and cut specifically for the establishment of lawns.

  • The landscapers rolled sod onto the bare earth and made a presentable lawn by nightfall.
3

A piece of this.

  • In Walachia, green sods are laid on the window-sills and on the lintels of the doors to avert the uncanny crew [i.e. witches].1890, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, volume 2, page 338:
Derived terms
sodbuster, sodbusting, sodder, soddie, sodification, sodless, sod poodle, sod roof, sod-soaker

sod

verb

Etymology From Middle English sod, sodde first attested in the mid-15th century, from Middle Dutch zoden (“turf”) or Middle Low German sôde, soede (“turf”), both related to Dutch zode (“turf”), German Sode (“turf”), Old Frisian sātha (“sod”), all being of uncertain ultimate origin.

1

To cover with sod.

  • He sodded the worn areas twice a year.
  • The innermore walls were sod inlayed with roots from trees, plants and weeds.2006, Paul Vela, Sealed with a Kiss, page 97:
Derived terms
resod

sod

intj

Etymology Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.

1

Ireland, UK, Vulgar expression of annoyance.

  • 'Well, I'm afraid we're going to keep you waiting for a bit.' 'Oh sod,' said Fathers. 'I'm behind enough with everything as it is. How long, do you think ?'1986, Dan Smith, Silver Spoon Murders, page 136:

sod

adj

Etymology From the Old English plural past tense, or a back-formation from the past participle sodden.

1

Obsolete Boiled.

  • Beer, if it be over-new, or over-stale, over-strong, or not sod,[…]is most unwholesome, frets, and galls, etc.
2

Australia, Of bread Sodden; incompletely risen.

  • sod damper

sod

noun

Etymology Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.

1

Ireland, UK, Dated, Vulgar Sodomite; bugger.

  • The Empire, in particular, was always thick with sods: they strolled side-by-side with the gay girls of the promenade, or stood, in little knots, exchanging gossip, comparing fortunes, greeting one another with flapping hands and high, extravagant voices.1998, Sarah Waters, Tipping the Velvet, Virago (2018), page 207:
2

Ireland, UK, Derogatory, Mildly, Slang A person; often qualified with an adjective.

Formerly considered vulgar

  • You mean old sod!
  • poor sod
2 more examples
  • unlucky sod
  • You silly sod.
3

Ireland, UK, Mildly, Vulgar Any trifling amount, a bugger, a damn, a jot.

  • I don’t care a sod.
Derived terms
old sod, sod all, sodcast, Sod’s law

sod

verb

Etymology Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.

1

Ireland, UK, Slang, Vulgar Bugger; sodomize.

2

Ireland, UK, Slang, Vulgar Damn, curse, confound.

  • Sod him!/Sod it!/Sod that bastard!
Derived terms
sod a dog, sod it, sod off, sod that for a game of soldiers, sod this for a game of soldiers, sod this for a lark

sod

noun

Etymology From the Old English plural past tense, or a back-formation from the past participle sodden.

1

Australia, Colloquial A damper (bread) which has failed to rise, remaining a flat lump.

  • And Mart the cook the shovel took / And swung the damper to and fro. / 'Another sod, so help me God, / That's fourteen in a flamin' row.1954, Tom Ronan, Vision Splendid; quoted in Tom Burton, Words in Your Ear, Wakefield Press, 1999, →ISBN, page 120:

sod

noun
1

The rock dove.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.

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