Why are there two g's in "suggest"?

[conuly]

Logically speaking, shouldn't that spelling result in the pronunciation "sug jest" instead of "suh jest"? What the heck is that extra g doing there? Twiddling its thumbs? Picking its nose? Doing the hula? Plotting world domination via illogical orthography?

Interestingly, etymonline.com says that it's from the past participle of "suggerere", which looks like somebody hiccuped while typing. Or speaking, the Romans not having keyboards.

Edit: I now have three comments going "But I do say it that way". For two of you, please confirm: That's sug jest, with the g as in girl?

I've never, ever, ever heard it that way, but assuming that this pronunciation didn't spring up because of the spelling (which is why Brits now say the H in "herb") it all makes sense now!

Merriam-Webster includes that pronunciation, but the OED doesn't.

Comments

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

and on further thought, since most missile work is done with the MoD as the customer, it is government work, and probably derived from your phrase.

[conuly]

and on further thought, since most missile work is done with the MoD as the customer, it is government work, and probably derived from your phrase.

God, I hope so. I wouldn't want people selling missiles to any random dude off the street.

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

They sell them to other governments as well, but yeah. Not just any random general off the street.

[conuly]

This is making a very funny picture in my mind right now. But it's possible I've had too many peanut butter cups and not enough real food today.

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

It's also possible that you've never had much insight into military equipment trade shows from the viewpoint of someone working security on a stand that sells missiles (like my husband, for instance). If your mental picture includes checking the identities of people who claim to be generals of various foreign powers, and then escorting them to the exit, you're about right. Ladies dressed in camo body paint (and nothing else) draped over missile launchers? Yep. (Some nationalities like having their photos taken in this company, and if it gets them to spend an extra few hundred million, why not?)
Goodie bags that include pens, mugs, stress toys shaped like tanks, and bits of kevlar armour? I'm afraid so.
It gets quite surreal at times.

[conuly]

*blinkblinkblinkblinkblink*

Wow.

Just... wow. Oh, wow.