odd bod

• odd-bod, oddbod

odd bod (plural odd bods)

1. (UK, military slang) A temporary crew member who joins a mission with an established crew.
   • 2001, Norman Hampson, Not Really what You'd Call a War, →ISBN, page 111:

     Oh I know: you're the odd bod. Of course, that's it, you're the odd bod.

   • 2015, Kate Atkinson, A God in Ruins, →ISBN, page 292:

     They had landed without the odd bod. They worked out that he must have bailed out pretty sharpish when Teddy first ordered them to abandon J-Jig.

   • 2015, Martin Whittle, Just Another Trip, →ISBN:

     We are being asked for a maximum effort sometime over the next few nights, so if one of the other crew are short, then one of your chaps will have to fill in as an odd bod.

2. (UK, informal) An eccentric; weirdo.
   • 1996, Stevie Davies, Four Dreamers and Emily, page 76:

     No doubt people sniggered at her. They thought of her as an odd bod. She was an odd bod.

   • 2000, Malin Lindroth, Night Watch, →ISBN, page 171:

     Ruben was an odd bod. What else could he have been? It's one of life's mysteries how odd bods always find each other.

3. Something that is different from others in the same category; odd one out.
   • 1988, School Libraries in Canada - Volumes 9-11, page 7:

     CSLA is an odd bod. It is important, but it seems to be difficult and different.

   • 2010, Lisa Craig, More Science in the Garden, →ISBN, page 8:

     Complete the table by circling the odd bod in each set and giving a reason for your choice.

4. Someone who lacks a partner or team.
   • 1991, Ronnie Waite, Death Or Decoration, page 75:

     "That's right," I replied. "An odd bod at the moment, a crewless skipper."

• (eccentric): kook, odd duck, weirdo; see also Thesaurus:strange person

• odds and bods