Dictionary definition of “Bitching Betty”

Bitching Betty

n. a computer-synthesized voice that gives alerts in (military) aircraft. Subjects: English, Military, Slang

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Citations: 1983 Marcida Dodson Los Angeles Times (July 31) “Original ‘Death Rattlers’ Get a Look at the New Guys”: The 19 pilots in the 200-member squadron stationed at El Toro fly the FA-18 Hornets, a single-seat, high-tech aircraft that features computerized instrument panels, television screens to aid in bombing run accuracy and even a computerized female voice—dubbed “Bitchin’ Betty”—that alerts pilots to mechanical trouble. 1990 Patrick Mott Los Angeles Times (Feb. 22) “The Fantasy Fighter” p. 1: When the technicians throw an emergency into the program, the pilots become familiar with the female voice—known universally to pilots as “Bitching Betty”—that announces the problem automatically into their headsets. 1996 Gregory Vistica Fall From Glory (Jan. 1) p. 202 @ (Feb. 26, 1997): The best that could be done with the gear was to install inside the cockpit a “bitching Betty,” a computerized female voice that warned the pilot of a planing link failure. 1998 William L Smallwood Strike Eagle (Jan. 1) p. 76: It seemed like only seconds after I turned when the radar altimeter goes off and Bitching Betty is saying, “Low altitude, low altitude.” I look through the HUD and see the ground coming up. 2006 Flight International (Feb. 1) “Video: NFTC CT-155 Hawk pilots eject after bird strike”: He pointed out that the USAF F-16s have a female audio alert, affectionately known as Bitching Betty.

Posted 10 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

Does Majel Barrett count?

by Mark 11 Feb 06, 1125 GMT

I’d never heard this term before until my DH and I were watching a recent episode of “ER” where a couple w/ a GPS system in their car followed the female’s voice instructing them to drive straight into Lake Michigan. They called the GPS ‘Betty,’ which I thought was funny because we have nicknamed our GPS ‘GiGi’ for ‘Garmin Girl’. So DH tells me that don’t I know what “Betty” stands for—“Bitchin’ Betty.” Common name for ALL instrument panels that talk w/ female voice and he references military planes (he used to work on them). So I say it’s a military thing, and he says no. Google (and my very informal poll at work) tells me I’m right. Ha. Think I’ll email him this page.

by SuzyQ 17 Mar 09, 0647 GMT