Why do some words end in dge?

The ending "dge" in English words often comes from the Old English suffix "-ig", which indicated a state or quality. This suffix later developed into "-age" or "-idge" in Middle English.

Here's how it worked:

1. Old English: Words like "strong" or "wide" had the suffix "-ig" to form words like "strengð" (strength) or "widð" (width).

2. Middle English: The suffix "-ig" evolved into "-age" or "-idge". This resulted in words like "strength" or "width".

3. Modern English: The "dge" ending remained in some words, particularly those where the preceding vowel is short, like "bridge", "edge", "hedge", "judge".

Here are some reasons why "dge" is retained in some words:

* Sound: The "dge" ending often creates a distinct sound, particularly in words like "bridge" and "hedge", where it represents a /j/ sound (like the "j" in "judge").

* Etymology: The "dge" ending reflects the history of the word and its connection to the Old English language.

* Spelling convention: The "dge" ending is a well-established convention in English spelling, even if it is not always pronounced distinctly.

Here are some examples of words ending in "dge":

* Bridge

* Edge

* Hedge

* Judge

* Pledge

* Hinge

* Wedge

* Badge

* Hodgepodge

* Splodge

While "dge" isn't a common ending, it's a fascinating one that reflects the evolution of English language and spelling.