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betty

(slang) A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.

ˈbɛtiCurrent48 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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5 citations · last seen May 2026

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#1·Apr 26, 2026

(slang) A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.

After a quick meal at a tea shop, we found ourselves in the hallway at the Midland Hotel, where he removed a skeleton key, or “betty” as he called it, from his pocket and inserted it in the keyhole. Once they were out of sight, I fumbled…
Origin: From . In thieves’ cant a tool for wrenching locked doors is also called a Bess (from “Elizabeth”) or a Jenny. The “attractive woman” sense may relate to the character Betty Rubble in the cartoon The Flintstones. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Heard in the wild
  • Wait Coronation St is on everyday? 😳 Not sure who Betty Driver is but she's fabulous. Great song.

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • 54 days older than Mel Brooks, 162 days older than Winnie the Pooh & 163 days older than my Ma-in-Law Betty, aka The Betster! 1926 was a good year! ❤️ bsky.app/profile/andr...

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • Of course Betty gets the Morrigan drip. Lol

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • If I ever find out for sure who was responsible for the state they found Betty in ... (we THINK I know, but when CONTEMPLATING ARSON one likes to be sure)

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • So, you've met my wife ... She acknowledges it, calling it "hangry". I keep Snickers bars in stock for those moments. (miss you Betty White!)

    Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 26, 2026

(archaic, derogatory) A man who performs tasks that traditionally belong to a woman; (originally) an effeminate or gay man.

A pie-size betty is traditional, but if you like, assemble the recipe in individual ovenproof ramekins.
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#3·Apr 26, 2026

(slang) A picklock, skeleton key; a tool for opening locks.

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