What is the meaning of the phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’?
Frustration, exasperation or annoyance.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’?
The phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’ came into the vernacular over 100 years ago. Before this, people could often be found saying ‘for God’s sake’ and ‘for Christ’s sake’, but because this was considered by many to be blasphemous, and therefore offensive to many.
To avoid blasphemy, people started using “Pete” as a euphemism for “God” or “Christ.” This made the saying considerably less offensive. The use of “Pete” likely refers to Saint Peter, one of Jesus’s main disciples, though this is more about finding a non-offensive substitute rather than a specific reference to Peter himself.
This led to the replacing of the words ‘God’, ‘Christ’ and ‘Lord’ with the name ‘Pete’ in other potentially blasphemous phrases that once used these words. For example, the phrase ‘in the name of Pete’ was recorded as early as 1942, while the phrase ‘for the love of Pete’ came earlier still in 1906.
Today, the phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation and is used in particular around children, so that when they do copy such exclamations of frustration or exasperation, they use less offensive language. It’s considered a family-friendly term pf expression.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’?
The phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’ appears in literary works, used by authors such as John Steinbeck and J.D. Salinger.
You will also here the phrase ‘for Pete’s sake’ on the radio, in comic strips and cartoons, and on film and TV, especially on films and shows aimed at the whole family.
