Who is the pete in the saying "for pete's sake"?

Question

Who is the pete in the saying "for pete's sake"?

Answer 1

it refers to the bible's St Peter.

think of the medieval church and think of hitting your thumb with a hammer...

you can't swear, or else the local priests will have you up before the bishop and who knows what the outcome of that will be, so you exclaim, in appropriate tone of voice, "For Saint Peter's sake" and carry on putting up the shelves.

hope that explained it in a simple way : )

Answer 2

St. Peter.