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Learn the meaning and origin of the American exclamation 'Heavens to Betsy', which expresses surprise. Find out the possible sources of the name Betsy and why it is an unsolvable mystery.
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The origins of this expression are unclear. It may have originated sometime between the years 1850 and 1914. Heavens to Betsy is another variation of the phrase for Heaven’s sake, which began as a euphemism for what some considered the blasphemous for God’s sake and for Christ’s sake. Nowadays, most people consider heavens to Betsyto be old fashion...
Here is an example of a math professor using the expression because of something surprising her student did. Student: Here you go. Teacher: What’s this? Student: This is the test. I’m handing it back to you. Teacher: Why are you handing it back? I just gave it to you a few minutes ago. There’s no way you had time to finish it yet. Student: Why do y...
This excerpt is about a governor and an early education bill. 1. During Thursday’s hearing he described some of the aspersions against his bill as “poppycock.” And at another point he exclaimed “Heavens to Betsy.” I wanted to leap to my feet and holler “Balderdash!” but fought the urge. –Great Falls Tribune The second excerpt is from an article abo...
Heavens to Betsy is an old-fashioned expression of surprise or shock, similar to Heaven's sake. Learn how to use it in different contexts and see examples from literature and media.
Jan 23, 2021 · A user asks about the origin of the exclamation "Heavens to Betsy", which is used as a mild oath in American English. The answer suggests it may be derived from "Hell's Bells" and cites an 1857 book as the oldest instance.
Feb 22, 2022 · Learn the meaning and origin of the idiomatic expression "heavens to Betsy", which is an alternative to blasphemy. Find out how to use it correctly and see examples of similar and opposite phrases.
Jan 8, 2021 · The phrase Heavens to Betsy is an exclamation expressing surprise or dismay. It is an extended form of the plural noun heavens, which has long been used in exclamations—frequently with an intensifying adjective, as in good heavens and great heavens.
heavens to Betsy. An expression of astonishment. This version of for heaven’s sake, which Charles E. Funk liked well enough to use as the title of one of his books, comes from nineteenth-century America and first appeared in print in 1892. It may be dying out.
Jan 13, 2021 · The idiomatic phrase heavens to Betsy is an exclamation of surprise. Use it in speaking and writing when you want to convey that you’re astonished or shocked. Unfortunately, language historians aren’t certain which Betsy inspired the phrase, or if it was even inspired by a real person at all.
