Melissa:
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Depending on context, the exact meaning of "sod off" can be as
offensive as you describe, or as mild as a somewhat annoyed "go
away". Since I'm not prone to say things such as the former, even
when I'm *really* annoyed, my use of the phrase here was definitely
of the latter sort. Perhaps a bit "over the top" for effect
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I rather thought it might be "for effect", so, in the spirit of an
"over the top" translation, I gave it the most extreme translation.

What isn't clear, however, is how someone on the Wet Coast comes up
with something as unAmerican (nonAmerican?) as "sod off". That isn't
part of the typical American vernacular is it?

Cheers,
Wilf