Evolution to ‘Peg’ Difficult to Nail Down

By Mike Rudeen

Why is Peg a nickname for Margaret? – Peg, Broomfield

Bryan (“Don’t call me Bry”) says it isn’t, but most sources I could find disagree with him. Basically, as Margaret was shortened, it became Maggie, Meg and many variations. How the M became a P is the subject of conjecture: Some sources say waves of immigrants and languages entering England are responsible, while others say it probably came from a childhood rhyming game, for example, “Maggie- Paggie” and “Meggie-Peggy.”

Margaret itself, incidentally, descended from a Latin word for pearl.

How about this one?

The city of Aurora recently installed electronic message boards over several major streets, but the only message I’ve seen on any of them is “Sign Under Test.” What is the purpose of these signs, and what is the cost of installing and operating them? – Bob

Know the answer? Post it on the Ask! blog, blogs.RockyMountainNews.com/ denver/ask, or e-mail rudeenm@ RockyMountainNews.com. While you’re on the blog, check out the other questions on the Ask! home page, or post one of your own by clicking on the link to the left on the page.

Originally published by Mike Rudeen, Rocky Mountain News.

(c) 2008 Rocky Mountain News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.