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bobby pin

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noun
  1. a flat, springlike metal hairpin having the prongs held close together by tension.
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Origin of bobby pin

1935–40, Americanism; perhaps Bobby (proper name), by association with bobbed hair (see bob2), in which such pins are used
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for bobby pin

bobby pin

noun
  1. US, Canadian, Australian and NZ a metal hairpin bent in order to hold the hair in placeBrit terms: hairgrip, kirby grip
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bobby pin

n.

1928, from diminutive of bob (n.2) + pin (n.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper