Dictionary definition of “Basement Betty”

Basement Betty

n. a woman who runs a business out of her home (in competition with store-based businesses). Subjects: English, Business, Slang

Editorial Note: A less common male equivalent is Basement Bob.

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Citations: 1987 Doug Fast Grand Rapids Business Journal (Mich.) (Oct. 19) “Hannah Floral Branching Out” vol. 5, no. 42, p. B19: It’s just not possible for the ma and pa shops to compete with the grocery stores selling cut flowers and the Basement Bettys undercutting the market, selling out of their homes. 1998 Usenet: alt.wedding (Aug. 14) “Re: Flower Problem”: Do not just asume because you have had a bad experience with one maybe two “Basement Betties” that the whole bunch is rotten. I understand that you probably have friends that own florists and people like myself, who work out of our homes are considered pariahs in the floral community. 1998 [Ric Foxall] Usenet: biz.comp.accounting (Sept. 22) “Virtual Accounting Firm a Reality?”: The proliferation of PCs and low end accounting/tax software—not to mention “Basement Betty/Bob”—during the past 13 years has made it increasingly difficult to compete (profitably) for monthly bookkeeping assignments, year ends, and tax returns. 2003 Deirdre McMurdy Ottawa Citizen (Canada) (June 19) “igh-end Canadian souvenirs appeal to sophisticated travellers” p. E4: One-of-a-kind, handmade items are huge. It’s not Basement Betty crafts; it’s handcrafted jewelry, blown glass, hand-painted lamps —things of that calibre. 2005 Karla Ramirez Floral Management (May) “Letters: Two Sides of the Coin” p. 8: In response to “The Chosen One,” which states that Katie Martin “could be perceived as a less-than-likeable, glorified ‘Basement Betty’ without formal training or even a traditional storefront,” I would like to dispel some common myths held by retail florists regarding floral designers like myself.…Retail flower shops and others in the floral industry should not be too quick to criticize Basement Bettys. Our goal is not to compete directly with retail shops. 2006 Laura Thompson Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada) (July 5) “Barber Bucks Trend”: Gibson could face up to a $20,000 fine for being a “basement Betty,” a euphemism for unlicensed hairstylists. Basement Betties are generally only investigated and fined following complaints.

Posted 7 Jul 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend