For Pete's Sake

Posted by ESC on August 19, 1999

In Reply to: For Pete's Sake posted by Casey on August 18, 1999

: Does anyone know who Pete is? Where did this phrase come from?

: I am curious to see if anyone knows...

I have read that this type of expression is a "Minced oath" or phonetic distortion. That someone starts to curse, then substitutes other less offensive words.