Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BETTY, n. Also Bettie. Dim. of Bet, abbr. for Elizabeth.
1. A man who does housework.Gsw.2 1934:
He's a regular Betty. [Given in N.E.D. but neither in Un. Eng. Dict. nor in Concise Eng. Dict.]
2. Female name in combs.
(1) Handy Betty, “a plate warmer” (e.Dmf.2 1917).
(2) Tidy Betty, “an ash-pan” (Id.).
3. A local name for the hare (Kcb. 1878 Zoologist (3rd Ser.) II. 427).
[Cf. brown Bess, tin Lizzie.]
