Where did the phrase "for pe?

Question

Where did the phrase "for Petes sake come from"?

Answer 1

"For Pete's sake" comes from "for Saint Peter's sake". It was originally used in the midieval church as a minced oath, or, substitute for a swear word. Instead of cursing one might say, "for Saint Peter's sake!'. Over the years it has been shortened to "for Pete's sake".

Answer 2

In Reply to: Re: Pete's sake posted by ESC 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.