fudder

Noun

fodder (countable and uncountable, plural fodders)

1. Food for animals; that which is fed to cattle, horses, and sheep, such as hay, cornstalks, vegetables, etc.
   • The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd, the shepherd for food follows not the sheep.c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

   Synonyms:

   forage, provender

2. (historical) A load: various English units of weight or volume based upon standardized cartloads of certain commodities, generally around 1000 kg.
   • Now measured by the old hundred, that is, 108 lbs. the charrus contains nearly 19 1/2 hundreds, that is it corresponds to the fodder, or fother, of modern times.1866, James Edwin Thorold Rogers, A History of Agriculture and Prices in England, volume 1, page 168

   Synonyms:

   load

3. (slang) Tracing paper.
4. (figuratively) Stuff; material; something that serves as inspiration or encouragement, especially for satire or humour.
   • According to the audio commentary on “Treehouse Of Horror III,” some of the creative folks at The Simpsons were concerned that the “Treehouse Of Horror” franchise had outworn its welcome and was rapidly running out of classic horror or science-fiction fodder to spoof.2012 April 29, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)
5. (crosswording) The text to be operated on (anagrammed, etc.) within a clue.
   • In (part of) Shelley's poem Ozymandias is a "crumbling statue". If this is the explanation then the clue is not a reverse cryptic in the same was^([sic]) as GEGS -> SCRAMBLED EGGS but a normal clue where where^([sic]) the fodder and anagrind are *both* indirect.2009, Colin Blackburn, “another 1-off cryptic clue.”, in rec.puzzles.crosswords (Usenet)
6. People considered to have negligible value and easily available or expendable.
   • Innocent people who are arrested become fodder for the justice system.

See all 7 meanings of fodder