Etymology Journal ยท O
Oh, for Pete's love!
Meaning
- A slightly softer way to say for God's sake. It is used when you are feeling exasperated but want to keep the language family-friendly.
Slightly annoyed, patient
Used in a sentence
- Oh, for Pete's love, just put the lid back on the jar.
- For Pete's love, turn the volume down.
- Oh, for Pete's love, just tell me where the map is.
The backstory
Pete is likely a stand-in for Saint Peter. It has been used in various forms since the early 20th century to sanitize mild venting.
Heard in
Nationwide
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