'For Pete's sake!' or 'For pity's sake!'???

[Agnes]

Can I use either of the two expressions in the same way? Which of the two is authentic? Surely one of them must be a result of the other...or??

[BobK]

I'm sure there's a web-page somewhere that'll tell you for certain, but I'd be very surprised if 'pity' didn't come first, with the 'Pete' version coined later as a secular equivalent.

b

PS Yes - they can be used interchangeably, though I'd guess that the 'Pete' version was more common. I guess 'for pity's sake' might sound a bit old-fashioned - perhaps more appropriate for when something really painful/dangerous/life-threatening is happening:

'For Pete's sake, I've been holding on for half-an-hour! When can I get to speak to a human being?'

but

'For pity's sake, leave the children - take me instead.'

[BobK]

This doesn't mention pity, and says the 'Pete' version is far from secular: Re: Pete's sake

Oh well...

b