“For Pete’s sake” originated as a substitute for “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake,” and other similar expressions—as using a shortened form of the disciple St. Peter’s name instead was considered less offensive.Apr 9, 2018
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the name “Pete” in these exclamations is chiefly a euphemism for God. The concept of using euphemisms as replacements for words like “Jesus Christ” and “God” is fairly old, and likely is inspired in some part by the Ten Commandments of the Bible.
honest to goodness/God/Pete
These assertions of veracity date from about 1900. The earliest seems to have been honest to God, which appeared in Jack London’s Valley of the Moon (1913). Goodness and Pete are probably euphemisms for “God,” which some might have considered blasphemous.
phrase [usually PHRASE with cl] You can say for pity’s sake to add emphasis to what you are saying, especially when you are annoyed or upset.
The origins of “back in the day” are obscure, but the consensus among linguists and word watchers participating in The American Dialect Society’s e-mail discussions seems to be that “back in the day” arose from hip-hop music circa the 1980s.
A The meaning is simple enough: it’s a mild American exclamation of shock or surprise. It’s dated, only rarely encountered in print and then most often as an evocation of times past.
A mild oath of shock, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger, with “Mike” being a euphemistic substitution for “God.” For the love of Mike, I didn’t even see that car coming!
A mild oath of shock, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger, with “Pete” being a euphemistic substitution for “God.” For the love of Pete, I didn’t even see that car coming!
“For pity’s sake” dates from the sixteenth century; Michael Drayton used it in one of his Idea sonnets of 1593: “Rebate thy spleen, if but for pities sake!” See also for the love of Mike/Pete/God. See also: For pity’s sake! for Christ’s sake.
Definition of take a shine to
informal. : to begin to like (someone or something) She really took a shine to her new neighbor.
1 : a feeling of sadness or sympathy for the suffering or unhappiness of others. 2 : something that causes regret or disappointment What a pity that you can’t go. pity. verb.
for Pete’s sake! in British English
informal. an expression of frustration, exasperation or annoyance.
before | formerly |
---|---|
previously | once |
hitherto | at one time |
long ago | in former times |
in bygone days | in days gone by |
at a particular time in the past that you are talking about: Things were different back then.
in the past | before |
---|---|
in antiquity | in my day |
in times gone by | in years gone by |
once upon a time | in days of old |
in yesteryear | in days of yore |
Very well-dressed and fashionable, typically for a formal event. I have to be dressed to the teeth at this gala tonight—a lot of important people will be there.
“The whole nine yards” or “the full nine yards” is a colloquial American English phrase meaning “everything, the whole lot” or, when used as an adjective, “all the way”, as in, “The Army came out and gave us the whole nine yards on how they use space systems.” Its origin is unknown and has been described by Yale …
Originally with reference to air; subsequently also (slang, chiefly British) more widely, esp. in sexual contexts. to be gagging for it: to be desperate for sexual intercourse. 1942 C. Mytinger Headhunting in Solomon Islands ix.
An easy life, as in Peter had enough money to take off the rest of the year and live the life of Riley. This phrase originated in a popular song of the 1880s, “Is That Mr. Reilly?” by Pat Rooney, which described what its hero would do if he suddenly came into a fortune.
The first recorded use of the phrase is by O Henry in 1907, in a story called The Heart of the West: “I looked around and found a proposition that exactly cut the mustard”. The modern sense of the idiom is “to succeed; to have the ability to do something; to come up to expectations”.
An oath of shock, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger. For the love of God, I didn’t even see that car coming!
American Baby Names Meaning:
In American Baby Names the meaning of the name Mike is: Who is like God? Gift from God. In the Bible, St. Michael was the conqueror of Satan and patron saint of soldiers.
Hint: Pete is stealing someone’s thunder.
The phrase essentially uses Pete a mild substitute for God or Christ in this expression of annoyance or frustration. It’s similar to the less-common, “for the love of Mike.” The switch to Pete makes the phrase more socially acceptable and less offensive.
for the love of (something)
1. … Please don’t speak like that in church, for the love of all that is holy! 2. Purely for one’s pleasure or love for someone or something, rather than for money or another such benefit.
The phrase “for Pete’s sake” was first recorded in 1903, according to OED citations, followed by “for the love of Pete” in 1906, and “in the name of Pete” in 1942. The intent, in case you didn’t already know, is to express “exasperation or annoyance,” the dictionary says.
“For the love of Mike” comes around in the early 1880s, likely in reference to St. Michael, and appears to be a euphemism for “for the love of God.” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “for Pete’s sake” and “for the love of Pete” come along about 25 years later.
A stimulus or booster, something vitalizing or encouraging, as in Getting a new concertmaster was a real shot in the arm for the orchestra. This colloquial expression alludes to a stimulant given by injection. [
Definition of flash in the pan
1 : a sudden spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing. 2 : one that appears promising but turns out to be disappointing or worthless.
: being short and pudgy : rotund. roly-poly.
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