E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fry.
Children (a word of contempt). Get away, you young fry. It means properly a crowd of young fishes, and its application to children should be limited to those that obstruct your path, crowd about you, or stand in your way. (French, frai, spawn.)
1
Nothing to fry with (French). Nothing to eat; nothing to live on. (See WIDE-NOSTRILS.)
