No, no, no

Posted by Mr Knowitall on November 07, 2003

In Reply to: Tin lizzie posted by ESC on November 03, 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.

• Yes, Yes, Yes Bob 10/November/03