Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FREUCHIE, prop.n. Also †Fruchie. The name of a village in Fife, near Falkland, in phr. gae tae Freuchie (and fry mice) = go to blazes! (Ags., Slg., Fif., Clc., Edb., Arg., Ayr. 1953). [′frʌxe]Sc. 1827 R. Chambers Picture Scot. II. 191:
It is common in some parts of Scotland to say, in case of being annoyed by any trifling or mischievous person, “go to Fruchie!” As Fruchie is a little village about a mile from Falkland, it has been supposed with some plausibility that the phrase took its rise among the courtiers at the palace.Abd. 1873 P. Buchan Inglismill 42:
“Gae wa', sirs, to Freuchie, for brawly it's seen It's siller ye're wooin',” quo' Tipperty's Jean.Fif. 1894 A. S. Robertson Provost 138:
To Freuchie wi' yer tick!Sc. 1935 B. Marshall Uncertain Glory ii. iv.:
I felt like telling them to go to Freuchie and fry mice.
