Why in citations is it a double-p 'pp' for a page range?

Question

p. 34 for a single page

pp. 34-42 for a page range

Why not just

p. 34-42

It drives me mad! What does the other p stand for?

Answer 1

Because it is defining that there is a plurality present. It is a short hand way of writing. Instead of: p. 34-p. 42, just pp. 34-42.