08/08/2024
So**my.
I am often finding myself at odds With those it is easy to call Dolts or clods Some of them Even might be called sods.
And also it is odd How both these descriptions Are also applying to clumps Or to lumps Of earth whereas Down to earth is regarded as praise As is earthy When applied As a positive phrase.
Now I don’t want you to think I think I’m some kind of Superior being I’m sure some think of me As an old curmudgeon For seeing A spade is a spade As a clod is a clod And a sod is a sod Not an angel in bloomers Or some such kind of Whimsical creature Dreamlike and fetching If seen from an angle That doesn’t cause retching.
Only now am I realizing Once and for ever I’m no better off For being so clever.
c. Brian Green. Los Angeles. 12/2023.
A translation note for my American readers.
“Well done Brian! It’s Soderifically Transmorphic! But next time you’ll have to explain to me what “Sod” means. I’ve heard it used by the Brits all my life but never knew exactly what it meant.”
“In the UK, Sod is short for S***mite, doomed inhabitant
of S***m and Gomorrah in the Bible, a vulgar generalized
insulting term of slang opprobrium, such as a prick, a s**t,
fa**ot, as***le or p***y in the USA. Or c**t, dick, jerk, etc.
(Also formally, a homosexual a**l sexcreant, especially Victorian/
Edwardian time, as in the famous trial and conviction of Oscar Wilde.)
The use of ge****ls as a derogatory comment is curious, No?
Of course, context is everything.
"What a sod he was." implies stubborn, obstinate, rebellious,
or unfair, malicious, cruel and/or vicious behavior and/or a
person exhibiting such behavior. "He's such a sod."
"You/What a stupid sod." is also common.
Just as, "You/What a stupid jerk/prick, etc." is, here in the USA.
To give you some flavor of its range of colloquial usage.
I love language, don't you! Brian.”
