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Yes, Yes, Yes

Posted by Bob on November 10, 2003

In Reply to: No, no, no posted by Mr Knowitall on November 07, 2003

: : : The specific origin of the word "Lizzie"/"Lizzy" in the phrase "Tin Lizzie" as used in reference to the original model A, & model T, Ford vehicles, and later, its use was broadened to include any of a particular type of car / vehicle with less then substantial assembly or structure.

: : Here's what one reference says:

: : TIN LIZZIE - ".tin lizzie, 1915, originally only meant the Model T (Lizzie is from the common name for a Black maid who, like the car, worked hard all week and prettied up on Sunday)." From I Hear America Talking: An Illustrated History of American Words and Phrases by Stuart Berg Flexner (Von Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1976).

: Must be some mistake. It's "Thin Lizzie" and it was just Phil Lynott's Irish brogue dat made it soind like "Tin"...

: Sounds too much of a coincidence that everybody would know a black maid called "Lizzie" who scrubbed up well.

Tin Lizzie was a very widely known nickname for the Model T decades before Mr. Lynott was born.

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