betty
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
No modern Lycæum vvill ever equal thy Glory, […] deſcribing the povverful Betty, or the artful Picklock, […]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A picklock, skeleton key; a tool for opening locks.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “betty” mean?
A short bar used by thieves to wrench doors open; a jimmy.
Is “betty” formal or informal?
betty is generally slang.