1. Incomplete or
slapdash job made of something; or, a quick contrivance made to fit a particular specification.
2. Exclamation, which sounds a lot like 'fuck' but isn't considered to be rude. (Often, it is used to convert an already started 'fuck' into something acceptable -- eg. around parents, teachers or employers, and so is a 'fudge' in itself.)
3. Attempt to evade through
misdirection or lies.
4. Soft, buttery sweet (candy).
'Fudge' is often supposed to be an
Americanism, but is actually thought to come from the old word 'fadge', meaning 'to fit'. This, in turn, comes a certain 'Captain Fudge', who was well known for telling lies; thus,
a fudge is a contrivance, made to fit.
It remains to be seen if future generations will 'kerry together' a program overnight (after John Kerry, who's claims as a Vietnam War veteran have come
under fire), or call out 'oh, bush!' in exasperation (George Bush, his claims of Iraqi
WMDs still contested).
See also 'fudgepacker' (a term for the active partner in anal sex -- not the same as, or limited to, gay men).
Example:
1. There was a day left to make the
coursework deadline, so they
fudged something together overnight.
2. 'How could we have failed, Ms Hardedge? I mean, what the fu... u...
udge?'
3. Ms Hardedge asked them about their project, but being unsure they just fudged their answers.
4. The kids ate some fudge, dispirited after failing their project miserably.