- Exclamations used to express strong exasperation, annoyance, impatience, or frustration.
- For fuck's sake is the most vulgar and intense.
- For God's sake is strong but common, using a religious reference.
- For Pete's sake and For crying out loud are milder, minced oaths (euphemisms avoiding blasphemy or vulgarity). FFS is the initialism for For fuck's sake.
Explanation
Origin
- For God's sake: Dates back centuries, invoking God's name to add emphasis or plead for intervention/reason. Considered blasphemous by some historically and still now.
- For Pete's sake: Arose likely in the early 20th century as a euphemism for For Christ's sake or For God's sake, possibly referencing Saint Peter.
- For crying out loud: Also early 20th century, another euphemism likely substituting for For Christ's sake. The crying out loud emphasizes the speaker's urge to vent frustration loudly.
- For fuck's sake: A modern, vulgar intensification using fuck similarly to how God or Christ were used, appearing commonly in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- FFS (Common online/texting).
- Jesus Christ! (As an exclamation of frustration, can be offensive).
- Come ON! (Very common).
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- For fuck's sake (already vulgar).
- For fuck's sakes (Sometimes pluralized).
- Adding intensifiers: Oh, for fuck's sake!
Milder:
- For goodness sake / For goodness' sake
- For heaven's sake
- Honestly!
- Really!
- Oh, brother. (Slightly dated)
- Sheesh! / Jeez!
Situational Appropriateness
- For fuck's sake: Highly informal, vulgar. Avoid in professional/formal/polite settings.
- For God's sake / For Christ's sake: Informal. Can be offensive to religious individuals. Avoid in formal settings.
- For Pete's sake / For crying out loud / For heaven's sake / For goodness sake: Informal but generally acceptable in most casual situations. Still expresses noticeable frustration.
- FFS: Very informal digital communication.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might not understand that Pete or crying out loud are substitutions and the core meaning is simply strong frustration.
- The intensity varies greatly: FFS is much stronger than For Pete's sake.
Examples
- For fuck's sake, stop making that noise! (Very annoyed)
- For God's sake, hurry up, we're late! (Impatient)
- For Pete's sake, just tell me what you want! (Frustrated)
- For crying out loud, can't you see I'm busy? (Exasperated)
- (Text message) The meeting was moved AGAIN? FFS.
Dialogue
Person A: I forgot my keys inside again.
Person B: For crying out loud, this is the third time this week!
Person C: (Trying to assemble furniture) This screw won't go in! For fuck's sake!
Person D: Let me try. Maybe it's stripped.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: My train is delayed. Again. FFS. #CommuterLife
- Facebook: Trying to explain NFTs to my parents, for crying out loud. #SendHelp
- Comment: He missed ANOTHER penalty? For God's sake! #Football
Response Patterns
- Apologizing (Sorry, I didn't realize.)
- Defending the action (I'm going as fast as I can!)
- Ignoring the outburst.
- Complying with the implied request (stopping the noise, hurrying up).
- Becoming defensive or annoyed in return (Don't talk to me like that!).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- The speaker might elaborate on their frustration (I've asked you three times already!).
- The speaker might repeat their request more forcefully.
- The listener might ask What's wrong? or Why are you so upset?.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a reaction expressing frustration, not an opener.
Intonation
- Usually spoken with a stressed first word (FOR) and the final word (SAKE or LOUD).
- Tone is clearly annoyed, exasperated, or impatient. FOR fuck's SAKE. FOR crying out LOUD.
- Can be sharp and loud, or a low, frustrated mutter.
Generation Differences
- All are generally understood. FFS is most common among younger generations familiar with internet slang. For Pete's sake and For crying out loud might be used more often by older generations but are still current.
Regional Variations
- All are common in major English-speaking regions (NA, UK, Aus, NZ).
- For goodness sake / For heaven's sake might be slightly more common in British English.