betty

The story

From Betty (nickname for “Elizabeth”). 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.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th century A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.
• from 18th century A picklock, skeleton key; a tool for opening locks.
• from 17th century A man who performs tasks that traditionally belong to a woman; (originally) an effeminate or gay man.
• 17th to 19th century A pear-shaped bottle covered with straw, in which olive oil is sometimes brought from Italy; a Florence flask.
• from 19th century A baked dessert made with alternating layers of sweetened fruit and buttered bread crumbs.
• from 20th century An attractive woman; a babe.
• from 19th century To pick a lock, to open with a betty.