Crazy as a Betsy Bug

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Hi, my name is Cecily, and I’m from Indianapolis, Indiana.

Welcome to the show, Cecily. How can we help you?

The phrase that my grandmother used to use, she grew up in North Carolina, and she would say, crazy as a Betsy bug.

Crazy as a Betsy bug.

Yes.

And how crazy is that?

That’s the thing, because it was never like if someone made her laugh, she wouldn’t say, oh, you know how some people say, oh, you’re so crazy or something like that. She would never use it in that way.

It was if somebody was doing something that she thought was stupid. And then she would say, that person is crazy as a Bessie bug.

And I haven’t heard it much. I spent some time when I was a child in North Carolina. I heard it there. But as far as the north, I’ve not heard it, even from people who’ve come from the same region.

-huh.

And have you heard the term Betsy bug at all?

No, I have no idea. I know I should look that up more. But I have no idea what a Betsy bug is.

Well, we can tell you what a Betsy bug is. It’s a kind of beetle. It also goes by the name patent leather beetle, which kind of gives you an idea. It’s kind of, you know, about as big as your thumb and black and shiny.

It’s sometimes called a horn beetle. But it’s also called a Betsy bug or a Bess bug or a Bessy bug.

And you see the phrase crazy as a Betsy bug or different variations of that throughout the South.

And nobody really knows why a Betsy bug might be considered crazy, except it does make an interesting sound.

It’s kind of like, you know, when you disturb it, it makes this kind of…

Really?

Yeah, like a little…

Like a cat when it gets annoyed with you?

Sort of like that, kind of a, you know, kind of a buzzy…

They’re pretty sizable and this beautiful black patent leather looking thing.

Maybe that’s, I guess that’s why it’s crazy because other bugs don’t talk to you.

Yeah, you don’t really see them swarming.

I’ve only seen them, you know, just wandering around kind of by themselves.

Maybe you’re right.

That is so interesting.

So that’s where that comes from.

And that’s why I wonder, that’s why I consider it wasn’t when she was amused.

It was quite the opposite, when she was displeased.

That’s wonderful.

I’ve got to say, I’ve got to say, Sesli, I was really delighted to take your call.

And we’re so happy that you spoke with us today.

Thank you so much.

I’m so happy to have spoken with both of you.

Okay.

Keep up the good work, and I’ll keep listening as well.

Okay.

Bye-bye.

Thanks a lot.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye, Cecily.