Celebrate For Pete’s Sake Day on February 26 Every Year
For Pete’s sake! (on February 26)
We’ll use just about any excuse to celebrate.
For Pete’s Sake! It’s another weird holiday for your celebratory pleasure.
For Pete’s Sake Day celebrates that odd expression of amazement or frustration. People use it in place of things like “for Christ’s sake” or “for God’s sake.”
Apparently it’s less offensive.
Although Pete might disagree. But we’re not sure. Nobody’s ever nailed down exactly who Pete is.
It might be the Apostle Peter. Or it might be an evolution of “for pity’s sake.” We’re not sure why anyone would replace “pity” with “Peter,” but anything’s possible.
What we do know is that it’s been in use for more than 100 years (according to the Oxford English Dictionary).
The day was created by Tom and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays. They submitted it to the Chase Calendar of Events, it was accepted, and people have been celebrating ever since. Or at least it’s been listed as an “official” unofficial holiday ever since.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this odd unofficial holiday.
Ideas to Celebrate For Pete’s Sake Day
The day’s founders don’t offer up any specific suggestions for this day. So it’s up to you to decide how to celebrate.
Since For Pete’s Sake is kind of a dated expression (although you still hear it), maybe spend the day using it and other older idioms.
Here are a few to consider:
- Peter out
- Honest to Pete (there’s Pete again. How’d he get so many expressions?)
- Heavens to Betsy
- Busy as a Bee
- Barking Mad
- Mad as a Hornet
- Cute as a Bug’s Ear
- Chew the Cud
- Bite the Dust
- To Hell in a Handbasket
- When Pigs Fly
- Stubborn as a Mule
- Mind Your Own Beeswax
- Lose Your Marbles
What others can you think of?
Or be nice to Pete!
If you know a Pete, you could also do something for his sake. Give him a small gift. Make or buy him lunch. Any little thing to show you value him.
Yes, we know the expression doesn’t actually have anything to do with being nice to Pete. But there’s no law against doing it anyway :)
