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.
Meanings
(uncountable) The stratum of the surface of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass, or any portion of that surface; turf; sward.
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:
She there shall dress a sweeter sod / Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. 1746, William Collins, Ode written in the year 1746:
(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.
(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:
de Grasnarbe (stratum of soil) · ru дёрн (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · it piota (stratum of soil) · la caespes (stratum of soil) · sh tepih trava (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · da græstæppe (stratum of soil) · de Sode (stratum of soil) · ru дёрн (stratum of soil) · de Wasen (stratum of soil) · it zolla (stratum of soil) · de Rasensode (stratum of soil) · mk бу́сен (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · pl darń (stratum of soil) · hu gyeptakaró (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · hu gyeptégla (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · pdt Sood (stratum of soil) · hu pázsit (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · sv grästorva (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · hy ճիմ (stratum of soil) · fi siirtonurmi (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · uk де́рен (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · sh busen (stratum of soil) · de Plagge (stratum of soil) · ota چیم (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · ota چیم (stratum of soil) · hu rög (stratum of soil) · gd fòid (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · nl teellaag (stratum of soil) · mk баз (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · hu humusz (stratum of soil) · mk бу́сен (stratum of soil) · mk баз (stratum of soil) · gd fòid (stratum of soil) · uk де́рен (stratum of soil) · de Grassode (stratum of soil) · hu termőtalaj (stratum of soil) · nb gresstorv (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · sv gräsmatta (stratum of soil) · de Rasenziegel (stratum of soil) · hu gyep (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · eo turfo (stratum of soil) · da græstørv (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · de Fertigrasen (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · bg чим (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · pl darń (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · nb torv (stratum of soil) · nl graszode (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · fr gazon (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · nb torv (turf grown for establishment of lawn) · fi juurikerros (stratum of soil) · de Rollrasen (turf grown for establishment of lawn)
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.
Meanings
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:
fr gazonner (to cover with sod) · hu gyeptégláz (to cover with sod) · hu begyepesít (to cover with sod) · hu gyeptéglávalfüvesít (to cover with sod) · hu gyepesít (to cover with sod) · hu kirak (to cover with sod)
'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:
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:
(Ireland, UK, derogatory, mildly, qualifier:formerly considered vulgar, slang) A person; often qualified with an adjective.
You silly sod.
poor sod
unlucky sod
You mean old sod!
(Ireland, UK, mildly, vulgar) Any trifling amount, a bugger, a damn, a jot.
From the Old English plural past tense, or a back-formation from the past participle sodden.
Meanings
(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: