Re: Pete's sake

Posted by Frankie on April 20, 2000

In Reply to: Re: Pete's sake posted by New Kid on the Block on April 20, 2000

: : : : How did the saying "For Pete's Sake" come from?
: : : Biblical origins. Think of St Peter. Think of the omnipresent medieval church and think of hitting your thumb with a hammer. You can't swear, else the local priests will have you up before the Bishop and the Lord alone knows what the outcome of that will be, so you exclaim, in appropriate tone of voice, "For Saint Peter's sake" and carry on erecting the shelves. This phrase was amended to "For Pete's Sake" in later, less religiously oppressive, times.

: : This is called a "Minced oath," a substitution of a less offensive word.

: Not by me it's not; I just consider it a mild swearword to be used in polite company to express irritation at some other person's action or, more likely, inaction. Never ever think of it as a 'minced oath' which conjures up visions of mooing cattle, butchers in white aprons and the awful grinding sound of meat being extruded.

: Relax, please. No one should ever have such a passion for a phrase.

• Re: Pete's sake ESC 04/20/00
  • Re: Pete's sake New Kid on the Block 04/22/00