Medieval · word · interjection
Fie
FY /faɪ/pronunciation given by a dictionary
First recordedlate 1200s
An exclamation of disgust, disapproval or reproach — 'shame!' or 'ugh!'. Probably from Old French 'fi', reinforced by a Scandinavian form; a natural sound of disgust found in many languages.
Where it was first recorded
Dated by Etymonline (late 13c.), which does not name the work.
Also spelled: fy, fye, fi
In its own time
Fie on’t! Oh fie! ’tis an unweeded garden / That grows to seed;
Today
Modern exampleFie on whoever put the empty milk carton back in the fridge!
Harmless and theatrical — a mock-outraged exclamation that everyone understands.
Questions
What does fie mean?
An exclamation of disgust, disapproval or reproach — 'shame!' or 'ugh!'. Probably from Old French 'fi', reinforced by a Scandinavian form; a natural sound of disgust found in many languages.
When was fie first used?
It is first recorded late 1200s.
Can you still use fie today?
Harmless and theatrical — a mock-outraged exclamation that everyone understands.
Sources
- fie — Etymonline (Online Etymology Dictionary)
- fie — Merriam-Webster
- fie — Wiktionary
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Hamlet) — Project Gutenberg
Checked 2026-09-30 · verdict: attested — found in the dictionaries and texts listed above