Poor Sod/Cow

[Wispy68]

Why do we say, "Poor sod/cow/bugger" etc?
Those terms are usually used in a derogatory way, so why do we use them when we're feeling sorry or bad for someone's misfortune?

[amber_stone]

For emphasis. And a little drama. Somehow saying "poor businessman" doesn't have a down and out tone to it despite the fact he already filed for bankruptcy.

[Quizmonster]

Sod, in this sense, was originally an abbreviation of sodomite, which means exactly the same as bugger originally did...ie it's a reference to homosexuality. By the 1930s it had taken on a 'softer' meaning such as fellow/chap, especially when used in commiseration. Bugger, too, took on the kinder meaning at about the same time. Cow was just adopted as the female equivalent of the two above.