sod

Etymology 1

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.

noun

1. (uncountable) That 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
2. (uncountable) 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. (countable) 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

verb

1. To cover with sod.
   He sodded the worn areas twice a year.

Etymology 2

Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.

noun

1. (Britain, Ireland, 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. (Britain, Ireland, slang, mildly derogatory, formerly considered vulgar) A person; often qualified with an adjective.
   You mean old sod!
   poor sod
   unlucky sod
   You silly sod
3. (Britain, Ireland, mildly vulgar) Any trifling amount, a bugger, a damn, a jot.
   I don’t care a sod.

intj

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, vulgar) expression of surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, boredom, frustration.

verb

1. (transitive, Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, slang, vulgar) Bugger; sodomize.
2. (transitive, Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, slang, vulgar) Damn, curse, confound.
   Sod him!, Sod it!, Sod that bastard!

Etymology 3

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

verb

1. (obsolete) simple past of seethe

adj

1. (obsolete) Boiled.
   Beer, if it be over-new, or over-stale, over-strong, or not sod,[…]is most unwholesome, frets, and galls, etc. , New York, 2001, p.223
2. (Australia, of bread) Sodden; incompletely risen.
   sod damper

noun

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, page 120

Etymology 4

noun

1. The rock dove.