Fudge

verb

To subtly manipulate or falsify information in order to portray a preferred front
To treat an issue vaguely, indirectly, or inadequately, often as a method of evasion
To mishandle something or act inadequately

noun

A statement or example of falsification or vagueness designed to evade an issue
A nonsensical or ridiculous thing
A soft, chewy candy
A rich, chocolatey sauce or filling popular in desserts

Usage

Fudge may have some of the most varied usages among words in the English language. In most cases, the word takes on a jocular, almost goofy connotation. Perhaps this is because one of its most prevalent uses - to describe a bite-sized treat or a thick, chocolatey syrup - brings to mind delicious images of Christmas Eve dessert or cool ice cream on a hot boardwalk. As a confectionary, fudge can take many forms and flavors, and so can the word itself.

In conversation, however, use of the word fudge often implies that something is being faked, exaggerated, or otherwise changed in a way which is probably not wholly accurate. In this sense, to fudge something means to present it in a skewed way, often in a clumsy attempt to direct attention away from the truth. A similar usage of fudge as a verb describes the act of handling something indirectly or ineptly as a method of evading unpleasantness - for instance, if you didn't want to be out in the hot sun, you might fudge mowing the lawn by skipping the edges. The word can also be used as a noun to describe such an excuse or evasion. Although fudging may work as a cop-out in the short term, the fact that it entails a certain amount of misrepresentation implies that it is rarely a complete solution.

Another use of fudge as a verb defines the act of mishandling a problem. Whether describing a supremely inadequate performance or a situation that has simply been botched, to fudge something in this sense suggests that someone, somehow, has messed up. The meanings of fudge as either an erroneous act, a misrepresentation, or a flat-out excuse naturally lead to its additional usage as a noun which describes something inane, unrealistic, or completely ludicrous. Although this usage is not so commonplace in modern English, there's no denying the humor one can inject into a situation by calling foul on a clear fudge!

Finally, one of the most common uses of fudge is not as a noun or verb, per se, but rather as an exclamation of frustration. This use is meant to be a much softer, family-friendly alternative to cursing; in fact, it most often directly takes the place of a certain other oath that begins with "F."

Example: The unscrupulous reporter tried to fudge his statistics to make the story seem more sensational.

Example: The quarterback fudged an easy short pass in the last few seconds of the game.

Example: Voters easily saw through the embattled politician's attempt at a fudge.

Example: "Can the fudge!" Tina's mother chastised, as her daughter gave feeble excuses for the pieces of candy that had mysteriously disappeared from the dessert tray.

Origin

As a result of its many usages, the origins of fudge are somewhat scattered. However, it is thought to have originated in the verb form during the eighteenth century; its description of an impromptu, awkward excuse or story deriving from the now obsolete term fadge, which meant "to change to fit." This meaning may have been helped by the traditional lore and jokes of sailors, whose usage of the term as an expression of disbelief was a reference to a certain "Captain Fudge," a somewhat legendary figure reputed to be fabulously dishonest. By the end of the eighteenth century its noun form describing an instance of fakery had entered the English lexicon.

Derivative Words

Fudgy: The adjective form of fudge is most often used to designate something as being faked, indefinite, or sketchy. In baking, fudgy is used to describe brownies and other desserts as being dense and chocolatey.

Example: I wasn't sure I believed the treasurer, as the stats in his earnings report sounded a little too fudgy.

Fudgier: Fudgier is a comparison term which describes something as being vaguer (or more chocolatey) than something else.

Example: Even fudgier was the way the treasurer dismissed my concerns with a nonchalant hand-wave and a couple of buzzwords.

Fudges: The present tense form of fudge is used when a singular, third-person subject fakes or cops out of something or mishandles a situation.

Example: One wonders whether the treasurer fudges this much when he tells his family about his day.

Fudging: This form is used to describe when something is currently faking or mishandling something.

Example: I grew so sick of the treasurer's fudging that I began to question him on the accuracy of his report.

Fudged: The preterit form of the verb petrify describes a past action of evasion or flubbing.

Example: When the treasurer began to cry as a result of my questioning, I realized that I had perhaps fudged by pushing the issue too far.

In Literature

From James Russell Lowell's A Fable for Critics:

There comes Poe, with his raven, like Barnaby Rudge,
Three-fifths of him genius and two-fifths sheer fudge.

Here, Lowell uses fudge to criticize the writings of his fellow poet Edgar Allen Poe while also acknowledging Poe's genius.

Mnemonic

To cover a smudge, you might try to fudge.