Does anyone say Heavens to bitsy? if not what strange saying do you say?

Question

Does anyone know what heavens to bitsy means? I don't

Answer 1

According to some bloke by the name of Michael Quinion:

"The meaning is simple enough: it’s just a mild exclamation of shock or surprise. It is almost exclusively an American expression, associated in my mind with mature females of the Prohibition era or earlier (though this may just be a reflection of my recent reading). As to where it came from, nobody has the slightest idea. It seems to be one of those traditional sayings that have been around in the language for generations, but which only latterly have come to be recorded in print. The big Oxford English Dictionary has a first citation from 1914, but I’m told it can be found as far back as 1891. Some have tried to trace it to the Revolutionary War and to Betsy Ross, but have failed; others think it may have something to do with the frontiersman’s rifle, often called Old Betsy, but there’s no evidence that saying and name are associated. Charles Earle Funk, who in 1955 used the phrase as part of the title of a book about curious phrases, said that its origins were “completely unsolvable”. We have to leave it as one of the great mysteries of lexicography, along with the similar heavens to Murgatroyd. Unless someone reading this knows different?"

I don't use the term myself, but I work in a toy store, so I've got to come up with some doozies so as not to swear around the little kids. There's one right there: doozy

Here are some others I commonly use:
-whoopsy daisy
-Oh for the love of Pete
-holy hellfire or "Holy sh!tballs, Batman!"
-Sweet mother of Jefferson Davis!! (Stolen from Disney's "Atlantis)
-son of a monkey's uncle (there's often a pause between the "a" and "monkey's uncle", as I struggle to remember that there are children present)
-dabnabbit
-crimenitly (spelling?! yegads...)
-yegads
-wonky

Sad part is, I'm only 24 and I'm using words that my grandparents used =P

Answer 2

It's Heavens to Betsy.
The meaning is simple enough: it’s just a mild exclamation of shock or surprise. It is almost exclusively an American expression, associated in my mind with mature females of the Prohibition era or earlier (though this may just be a reflection of my recent reading). As to where it came from, nobody has the slightest idea. It seems to be one of those traditional sayings that have been around in the language for generations, but which only latterly have come to be recorded in print. The big Oxford English Dictionary has a first citation from 1914, but I’m told it can be found as far back as 1891. Some have tried to trace it to the Revolutionary War and to Betsy Ross, but have failed; others think it may have something to do with the frontiersman’s rifle, often called Old Betsy, but there’s no evidence that saying and name are associated. Charles Earle Funk, who in 1955 used the phrase as part of the title of a book about curious phrases, said that its origins were “completely unsolvable”. We have to leave it as one of the great mysteries of lexicography, along with the similar heavens to Murgatroyd. Unless someone reading this knows different?

Answer 3

Possibly, some people may still say "Heavens to Betsy". No one can say with authority, that they don't.
I do have a phrase that just rolled off my lips one day. Don't know how or why.
"Gadzooks and little puppy dogs"
The balance of my phrases are rated R or X.
Then there is always "For crying out loud", which I've yet cannot come to understand.

Answer 4

Its Heavens to Betsy

Answer 5

Hey I'm here for the first time. I came across this question and I find the replies truly helpful. I'm hoping to offer something back to the community and assist others too.

Answer 6

I say golly. It's fun. Don't know what Heavens to betsy means. I guess betsy died.

Answer 7

i like to make people stop doing things by saying "stop! that is such a turn off!" even if i dont know them lol.
I also like turning normal situations into a disturbing situations by saying things like "in my version of the birds and the bees, one of the ignored bees goes bezerk and kills everyone and eats out their eye balls. He also uses their guts to spell out HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW?"

peace......b i t c h s.....

Answer 8

Isn't it Heavens to BETSY?

My grandma used to say that.

Answer 9

I have quite a few sayings that people think are funny......my favorite is "Holy Chicken"

Answer 10

no I say That really Burns my hole..or Weinersnitszle both when Im mad