odds and sods

O

odds and sods (informal idiom)
/ɑdz ənd sɑdz/

Variant

• odds and ends

Meaning

• Miscellaneous items that are not part of a complete set.
• Small, leftover things or tasks that remain after the main ones are dealt with.
• Bits and pieces of various kinds, usually considered minor or unimportant.
• A collection of unrelated items grouped together.
• Trivial or random objects gathered without a specific purpose.
• Minor duties or responsibilities that are scattered or unorganized.

Synonyms: miscellany, scraps, leftovers, bits, remnants, junk, clutter, trifles.

Example Sentences

1. I packed up the big stuff, but there are still odds and sods left in the kitchen.
2. His toolbox was full of odds and sods like screws, nails, and washers.
3. She spent the weekend finishing the odds and sods from her to-do list.
4. After the garage sale, only a few odds and sods remained unsold.
5. The drawer was cluttered with odds and sods she hadn’t seen in years.
6. We wrapped up the major tasks, just the odds and sods are left now.

Origin and History

Etymological Theories and Beliefs

The most widely accepted theory is that “odds and sods” is a variant or an emphatic offshoot of the older and more common idiom, “odds and ends.” The phrase “odds and ends” has been in use since at least the 17th century. “Odds” in this context refers to unmatched, irregular, or leftover items, stemming from an older sense of “unequal things, matters, or conditions” dating back to around 1500. The word “ends” refers to small fragments or remnants. This combination effectively describes a collection of varied, often discarded, bits and pieces.

The addition of “sods” to create “odds and sods” is believed to be a form of rhyming reduplication, a common linguistic phenomenon where a word or part of a word is repeated, often with a slight variation, for emphasis or rhythm (e.g., “higgledy-piggledy,” “fuddy-duddy”). While “sod” can informally refer to a person (sometimes disparagingly, as in “old sod”), in the context of “odds and sods,” its primary function is to reinforce the idea of miscellaneousness and perhaps add a colloquial, slightly dismissive tone to the collection of items or people. It suggests a random assortment, possibly of lesser value or significance. Some etymologists might also propose that “sods” could relate to “sod,” meaning a piece of turf, perhaps evoking scattered bits of earth, further enhancing the idea of disparate fragments. However, this is more speculative, with the rhyming reduplication theory being more prevalent.

Country of Origin

The phrase “odds and sods” is distinctly British English. Dictionaries and linguistic resources consistently label it as a British informal term. Its usage is widespread within the United Kingdom, and it is less commonly encountered in American English or other English dialects, where “odds and ends” remains the preferred idiom for similar meanings. This strongly indicates that the phrase originated and evolved within the linguistic landscape of Britain.

Earliest Printed Record

Pinpointing the absolute earliest printed record of the exact phrase “odds and sods” proves challenging due to its informal and colloquial nature. Often, such idioms originate in spoken language before they appear in formal written records. While the searches for the earliest printed record often point to “Odds & Sods,” a compilation album by the British rock band The Who, released in 1974, this is likely a prominent cultural reference rather than the phrase’s initial appearance in print. The album title itself suggests that the idiom was already in common parlance by the 1970s, making it recognizable to the public. The older phrase “odd ends” appeared in print in the mid-1500s, and “odds and ends” by the mid-1700s. It is reasonable to infer that “odds and sods,” as a variation, gained traction in spoken and then written British English sometime between the emergence of “odds and ends” and its use as a widely understood album title in the mid-20th century. However, a definitive earlier printed instance of “odds and sods” was not found in the research.

In summary, “odds and sods” is a vibrant British informal idiom, most likely a rhyming, emphatic variation of the older “odds and ends,” used to describe a varied collection of minor things or people. While its exact initial printed appearance remains elusive beyond its prominent use in the 1970s, its linguistic lineage is firmly rooted in the historical development of English idioms.

Related Idioms

1. bits and bobs
2. bits and pieces
3. this and that

Important

Last update: June 26, 2025 8:23 AM