Where Pete Came From WAS: Insert sinister music here.

[Guest guest]

" For the love of Pete " was first recorded in print in 1918,

Rainbow. It appears to be a modification of " For the love of Mike "

from the 1880s, which was the primary expression of frustration by

people from Irish backgrounds.

The " For the love of Mike " expression seems to have been a

euphemistic cry to replace " For the love of God " which is known --

and recorded in print -- from the early eighteenth century and that

was used as an irritated exclamation.

Another well-known exclamation -- " For pity's sake " -- seems likely

to have been an influence on the choice of Pete to replace God and

Mike (I'm sure will be happy to know he can replace both God

and Mike in one fell swoop).

However, no one seems to know who, exactly, Pete was although it

most likely refers to St. -- he of great renown, standing at

the Pearly Gates leading into Heaven.

Raven

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> I get that, but the expression......

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> It must have come from somewhere, and mean something.

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> Anybody have a clue?

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> Rainbow

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