Used in the phrase 'for goodness sake' or 'for God's sake' as an exclamation expressing exasperation, urgency, or emphasis.
Archaic compound of 'God' and 'sake,' from Old English 'for the sake of,' literally meaning 'for God's benefit or purpose.' Used as an oath since the 1300s.
When people say 'for goodness sake' instead of 'for God's sake,' they're being polite but also kind of funny—'goodness' as a substitute for 'God' is a way to swear without swearing!
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