Phrase Finder

For crying out loud

Posted by R. Berg November 20, 2001In reply to Phrase posted by Len Yancey on November 20, 2001

Where did the phrase, "For crying out loud" come from?

From somebody who started to blurt out "For Christ's sake!" and noticed at the last second that women or children or members of the clergy were present. Such expressions are called "Minced oaths."

Replies