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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Origin of name "Magpie" (1 Viewer)

S

Sancho

Well-known member
Europe
Question: Most online sites give the origin of "magpie" as early 17th Century "Mag" for "margaret", plus "Pie". However, in "Macbeth", Act III Scene IV, Shakespeare has Macbeth speaking of "Maggot-pies, and Choughs, and Rooks". That would make sense for carrion-eaters. Just wondering - any opinions?
 
It seems there's an etymological link between pie & pied - which stands to reason re magpie.
Never knew the connection between Margaret & the mag part, though.
 
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