E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Boues de St. Amand (Les).
The mud baths of St. Amand (that is, St. Amand-les-Eaux, near Valenciennes, famous for its mineral waters). These mud-baths are a “sorte de limon qui se trouve près des eaux minérales.” By a figure of speech, one says, by way of reproof, to an insolent, foul-mouthed fellow, “I see you have been to the mud-baths of St. Amand.”
