Why do we add a 'd' to 'refrigerator' when we shorten it to 'fridge'?

[Rabrrrrrr]

The other thread about the bad refrigerator made me think about this.

Is it just because who ever came up with it thought 'frig' or 'frige' looked funny (as it does)?

Or is there some other more technical and interesting linguistic reason?

[HopeHoops]

1. Because otherwise it would be pronounced FRIE-ge

The "d" makes it a short "i".

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. it was originally shortened from Frigidaire.

?v=1192424763

[Aristus]

3. And without the -e-, it would be 'frigg'.

The -d- is necessary to make the single syllable consistent with the second syllable of the longer word, refrigerator.

[fishwax]

4. because the vowel-consonant-e pattern in "frige" would imply a long "i"

While in "refrigerator" the i is short because it is closed by a consonant (the "e" belongs to the next syllable).

[DevonRex]

10. Ding ding ding! nt

[Robb]

5. Because the Kaiser stole our word for icebox

[GOPisEvil]

6. We held a meeting. It was decided that we do as much as possible to piss you off.

:7

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Excellent! Every day of being pissed off only makes me more powerful.

:rofl:

[ashling]

8. And we thank God we are not downwind

:rofl:

[Schema Thing]

9. Because by shortening the word, we have the extra time

[Jade Fox]

11. Waaaaay too much time on your hands. nt