In Act III, Scene IV, Line 124, Macbeth uses the term “maggot-pies” (or “magot-pies”), a variation of “magpie” not mentioned in etymonline’s entry. I bring this up because I am wondering whether there is any etymological connection between the mag- in “magpie” and the mag- in “maggot”. If not, how and why did “maggot-pie” become an alternate spelling of “magpie”? If there is no etymological connection between the two mags, was there believed to be at some poiint?
The “maggot” in “maggot(y) pie” is a pet form of the name Margaret. The OED suggests that “magpie” originated as a shortening of this term, which is attested slightly earlier.
It wasn’t a great comment and I was myopically focused on the foodness and not the birdness. Sorry about that.
Your comment is still schizo-ish.