fridge English · revision 10493

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1926|origins=en refrigerator}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɹɪd͡ʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortened and altered form of [[refrigerator]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) an unusual kind of word-formation in English,^(Etymonline) perhaps influenced by Frigidaire (1919), a popular early brand of self-contained refrigerator,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(OED 1989) a name suggesting Latin frigidarium, a cooling room in a bath.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster thinks it probably an alteration of frig.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A refrigerator: 1926.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Frigerator as a colloquial shortening is attested by 1886.^(Etymonline) The form frig was also used.^(SOED 2002) The ''fridge-freezer'', combining a refrigerator and a freezer, is from 1971.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1886 – frigerator.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1919 – Frigidaire.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1926 – fridge.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1971 – fridge-freezer.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' A [[refrigerator]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[refrigerator]]

+ * [[frigid]]

+ * [[freezer]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different verb fridge, to fidget, or to rub or chafe, apparently imitative, is from the mid-16th century and survives in northern and Midland dialect.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}