heavens to Betsy

English

Etymology

Of unknown origins.[1] Speculated to be a euphemism for hell's bells, but there is not sufficient evidence to support this.[2] Attested from 1857.

Interjection

heavens to Betsy

  1. (chiefly US, dated) Good gracious; good heavens.
    • 1857 May 1, Frederick W. Saunders, “The Serenade: A Tale of Revenge”, in Ballou's Dollar Monthly Magazine‎, volume v, number 5, Boston, MA, page 419:
      "Heavens to Betsy!" he exclaims, clapping his hand to his throat, "I've cut my head off!"
    • 2023, Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, New York: Penguin, →ISBN:
      Then there's New Age entrepreneur Deepak Chopra, who, in bis 1989 book Quantum Healing, promises a pathway to curing cancer, reversing aging, and, heavens to Betsy, even immortality.

Synonyms

References
  1. “heaven, n.P2b”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. Gary Martin (1997–) “Heavens to Betsy”, in The Phrase Finder.
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