Heavens to Betsy

[fredpuli47]

What's the origin of the exclamation of surprise ' Heavens to Betsy !' '?

[Jumbuck]

Zacsmaster - didn't realise that you were a contributor to this wbsite: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/heavens-to- betsy.html

[Quizmonster]

On my shelves, I have a book by C E Funk on colourful expressions actually entitled Heavens to Betsy! He happily admits in the introduction, "The title itself turned out eventually to be completely unsolvable."
Given that someone with such a specific mission failed to come up with the goods, Fred, I wouldn't hold out much hope.

[fredpuli47]

Jumbuck, Zac gets the points for getting in first plus his extensive study and knowledge of this expression's history! LOL

Thanks QM, for that typical 'gem'.

[Quizmonster]

It may well do, Dixie, but why would anyone say, "Heavens to....whatever flag" as an indication of surprise? I just can't imagine the French saying, "Heavens to the tricolore!"...in French, obviously...or Brits saying, "Heavens to the Union Flag!"
In the USA, a betsy was also a favourite gun, so the saying might equally apply to that. I can just see John Wayne riding into town, shotgun across his lap, to get his son out of jail saying these words, "Berra lerrim go, Sheriff, or, heavens to Betsy, you'ra a-gonna pay for it!"