bobby pin

noun

1. a flat, springlike metal hairpin having the prongs held close together by tension.

bobby pin

noun

1. Brit terms: hairgrip.  kirby grip. a metal hairpin bent in order to hold the hair in place

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobby pin¹

1935–40, perhaps Bobby (proper name), by association with bobbed hair ( bob ² ), in which such pins are used

Example Sentences

She found a lot of rusty bobby pins, empty paper cups, and dust bunnies.

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The bathroom is stocked with Listerine, Lubriderm lotion and bobby pins; the fridges teem with Red Bull, baby carrots and a wide selection of juices.

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“It’s hard to believe there’s bobby pins, a cap and a full head of her own hair under the wig,” McDonald said as he pointed to a photograph of LuPone wearing it.

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I think there’s tape, safety pins and bobby pins all behind that brooch holding it together.

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Mama had let me sleep in rag rollers the night before, so I had big corkscrew curls instead of my usual pigtails, and she put bobby pins in my hair, crisscrossing two on each side.

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