Etymology
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Betsy

fem. pet name, a diminutive of Bet, itself short for Elizabet or Elizabeth. Betsy or Bessy (a variant form) as the typical pet-name for a favorite firearm is attested in American English by 1833 (Davy Crockett). Also compare Brown Bess, attested by 1785 as British army slang for the old flintlock musket.

updated on October 08, 2022

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