Phrase in Discworld

"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.