Sod off

Posted by David FG on May 26, 2008 at 09:57

In Reply to: Sod off posted by Gary Martin on May 26, 2008 at 09:05:

: : What is the origin of the British expression 'Sod off'?

: Sod and bugger are both slang terms for sodomite. 'Sod off' is a mid 20th century term which parallels the early 20th century 'bugger off'.

It is an example of the traditional British-English way of forming 'oaths'. Take any profanity and add 'off' to make an impolite way of saying 'go away', or add 'up' to form a phrase meaning a mistake.

(Though the second does not apply to the word 'piss'.)

DFG