why is there a D in 'fridge' but not in refrigerator?

your idea sounds reasonable!

But then shouldn't they have shortened it to frigid? Still doesn't explain the placement of the "d". Does it?

@LadyBronte: Back in those days you weren't allowed (censors) to say the word "Frigid" on TV or they would cut your WeeWee off.

I remember the ICE MAN carrying that big block of ice up 3 flights of stairs to our "ice box" on the third floor. 8)

@nedkelly: Ok the change has been made. The correct spelling for Refrigerator will now be 'Refridgerator'
ALL: please make note and disregard 'Spell-check' and 'Auto-correct' as these applications will still point out the old spelling until the change has been propagated throughout all applications. Thank you for your patience as we work through this error.