subs. (common).—1. A man who occupies himself with household matters: in contempt: see verb.
2. A small instrument used by burglars to force open doors and pick locks: also BESS (q.v.), now called a JENNY (q.v.).
1671. R. HEAD, The English Rogue, I., v., 47 (1874). BETTY, an instrument to break a door.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. BESS, c. bring bess and glym, c. forget not the Instrument to break open the Door and the Dark-lanthorn. BETTY, c. a small Engin to force open the Doors of Houses; also, a quarter Flask of Wine.
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus, II. ix. 7. So Ruffains, who, with Crows and BETTIES, Break Houses, when it dark and late is.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Bring BESS and glym, bring the instrument to force the door, and the dark lanthorn.
1851. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, IV., 339. Expert burglars are generally equipped with good tools. They have a jemmy, a cutter, a dozen of BETTIES, better known as picklocks.
3. A ‘Florence flask’ as used for olive oil.
Verb (colloquial).—To potter about; fuss about: see subs. 1.
ALL BETTY! intj. (thieves’).—A cry of warning; ‘it’s all up; the game is lost!’
