Why "sh" pronunciation in "sugar"?

[Baker, John]

        I don't know about the pronunciation, but I did notice an antedating for "sugar-pie" (OED has 1930).  From a letter written by a 17-year-old Florida teenager to her lover in 1921:

        >>'Listen Sugar pie how did you injory [i.e., enjoy] your self least night I injory my self Better then I have in a long time For I wes with my Dear Little Loving Sweet Darling the onely one I love<<

Hunter v. State, 85 Fla. 91, 110, 95 So. 115, 121 (1923).


John Baker