[Origin obscure.
The int. as used by Goldsmith (quot. 1766) seems from the context merely to represent an inarticulate expression of indignant disgust, though later writers who adopted it from him use it with a more definite meaning. The sb. appears to have been developed partly from the int., and partly from FUDGE v. The etymology suggested in the annexed quot. 1700 can hardly be correct, though Captain Fudge, ‘by some called Lying Fudge,’ (Letter of 1664 in Crouch, Posthuma Christiana, 1712, p. 87) was a real person (the surname is still common in Dorset). The nautical phrase ‘You fudge it,’ associated in 1700 with the name of the mendacious captain, prob. belongs to FUDGE v. 1. In a dialogue of 1702. ‘The Present Condition of the English Navy,’ one of the interlocutors is called ‘Young Fudg of the Admiralty,’ perh. with allusion to the same verb.
1700. Remarks on the Navy, in D’Israeli, Cur. Lit., Neology (1841). There was, sir, in our time one Captain Fudge … who … always brought home his owners a good cargo of lies, so much that now aboard ship the sailors, when they hear a great lie told, cry out, ‘You fudge it.’]
A. int. Stuff and nonsense! Bosh!
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., xi. The very impolite behaviour of Mr. Burchell, who … at the conclusion of every sentence would cry out Fudge!
c. 1818. Peel, in Croker Papers (1884), I. iv. 116. To all the latter part of your letter I answer … Fudge.
1842. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Bloudie Jacke. But others cry ‘fudge.’
1876. F. E. Trollope, A Charming Fellow, I. xv. 200. Anything of consequence to say? Fudge! He is coming begging, perhaps——.
B. sb.
1. Contemptible nonsense, ‘stuff,’ bosh.
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, x. That is all fudge to frighten you.
1838. Lowell, Lett. (1894), I. 28. As for my dependence on my own powers, ’tis all fudge.
1865. E. C. Clayton, Cruel Fortune, II. 105. I only hope your marriage will cure you of your silly fudge.
2. A made-up story, a deceit.
1797. Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Beggar Girl (1813), III. 112. The farmer’s people said he galloped after you like mad; but that must be all a fudge, because, you see, he did not overtake you.
1841. Lytton, Nt. & Morn., II. vii. Very genteel young man—prepossessing appearance—(that’s a fudge!) highly educated.
1878. Emerson, Misc. Papers, Fort. Republ., Wks. (Bohn), III. 399. ’Tis a wild democracy; the riot of mediocrities and dishonesties and fudges.
3. An impostor, humbug.
1794. Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Ellen, III. 132. What an old fudge! you won’t give her up, I hope Charles.
