Phrase in Discworld

Posted by Lewis on February 26, 2004

In Reply to: Phrase in Discworld posted by Henry on February 25, 2004

: : : : "Bugger this for a game of soldiers"
: : : : What does that mean, and what's the origin?

: : : Soldiers tired of battle would say this. Possibly from the First World War? Read more in the archives at www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 18 messages 362.html

: : Thanks for the response. I did see search the archives before I posted, but the explanation wasn't awfully clear.

: : Does it mean "screw this (situation), let us now go and have a game of soldiers" ?

: : If so, what is a "game of soldiers"?

: : Cheers,
: : Srik

: The soldiers mean that war, a game of soldiers, isn't much fun.

a 'game of soldiers' is what children have - pretending / role-playing at being soldiers. something they generally find fun. the expression 'sod this for a game of soldiers' or 'fk this for' or 'bugger this for' all operate in the same way - it is an expression that the situation that one is in has turned unpleasant (from being a metaphorical 'game of soldiers')and they want to be out of it.

I met Terry Pratchett earlier on in his career - he was a genial and pleasant bloke to chat to for an hour or so.