TRIVIAL PURSUITS: From Where Did the Phrase “For Pete’s Sake” Come?

Many of us use the phrase “for Pete’s sake” when expressing frustration.

From where did the phrase “for Pete’s sake” come?

 

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“For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive.

 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “for Pete’s sake” came into use more than a century ago and prompted similar sayings such as “for the love of Pete” in 1906 and “in the name of Pete” in 1942.
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