pie

An interesting bit of information: the word "Magpie" is where we get the word pie! No, really - originally the bird was called "pie" in Old English, and it was only later that certain nicknames of Margaret got added, such as Maggot-pie and eventually, Magpie. The reason we call the food item "pie" by that name is because, just like a Magpie's nest, pies contain many different things.

Pie (?), n. [OE. pie, pye; cf. Ir. & Gael. pighe pie, also Gael. pige an earthen jar or pot. Cf. Piggin.]

1.

An article of food consisting of paste baked with something in it or under it; as, chicken pie; venison pie; mince pie; apple pie; pumpkin pie.

2.

See Camp, n., 5.

Halliwell.

Pie crust, the paste of a pie.

© Webster 1913.

Pie, n. [F. pie, L. pica; cf. picus woodpecker, pingere to paint; the bird being perhaps named from its colors. Cf. Pi, Paint, Speight.]

1. Zool. (a)

A magpie.

Any other species of the genus Pica, and of several allied genera.

2. R. C. Ch.

The service book.

3. Pritn.

Type confusedly mixed. See Pi.

By cock and pie, an adjuration equivalent to "by God and the service book." Shak. -- Tree pie Zool., any Asiatic bird of the genus Dendrocitta, allied to the magpie. -- Wood pie. Zool. See French pie, under French.

© Webster 1913.

Pie, v. t.

See Pi.

© Webster 1913.