MUNDANE MYSTERIES: “For Pete’s Sake!”
Whenever you hear an old saying, like “letting the cat out of the bag”, does it ever make you think “for Pete’s sake, what does it mean”? But then you think, “why did I just say that? What does ‘for Pete’s sake’ even mean?” Who’s this Pete character, and why should I care about his sake?
“For Pete’s sake” is an idiom where the name Pete is essentially used as a mild substitute for God or Christ in an expression of annoyance or frustration. Much like the less common “for the love of Mike”, the switch to Pete makes the term more socially acceptable & less offensive. There’s actually even a name for this type of phrase, “minced oath”, which is a British euphemism used to avoid swearing when expressing surprise or annoyance.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, people started saying “for Pete’s sake” as early as 1903. But there’s no definitive reason why folks began using Pete instead or some other name, like Frank, Earl, or any other name. One theory, though, is that, at some point, someone simply replaced Jesus or God with another religious figure…St. Peter. (ANDY NOTE: Seems plausible.)
Now that you know a bit more about why we say, “for Pete’s sake,” you’ll be ready to celebrate on February 26th, which is “For Pete’s Sake Day”. Yes, it IS a real thing! I wouldn’t make something like that up, for Pete’s sake!
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
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Wake Up Crew Highlights: October 25, 2021
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do We Call It A “Honeymoon”?
A honeymoon is the best part of any wedding. Heck, it’s the best part of any marriage. But where did the term “honeymoon” first come from?
The word comes from the Old English “hony moone.” Honey refers to the “indefinite period of tenderness & pleasure experienced by a newly-wed couple,” and how sweet the new marriage is. Meanwhile, the “moon” part refers to the fleeting amount of time that that sweetness is likely to last. Honeymoon may have a positive connotation today, but it was actually originally used as a way of warning newlyweds about waning love.
“Honeymoon” has origins that date back to the 5th century AD, back when cultures designated calendar time by moon cycles. Back in those days, a newlywed couple would drink mead (a honey-based fermented drink thought to hold aphrodisiac qualities) during their first moon of marriage.
And while most couples today getaway on their honeymoon so they can be alone together, it wasn’t always that way. 19th century British couples actually took the opportunity of their honeymoon to go on what was called a “bridal tour”, where they would travel to visit friends & family who hadn’t been able to attend the wedding ceremony. Anybody up for reviving that tradition? No?
Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Dogs Drool So Much
We love our fur-babies. Even when they race through the house soaking wet after a bath…when they steal your spot on the couch…and, yes, even when they drool, we love them. About that drool, though. It can be a lot. All dogs do it, but some breeds can fill up an entire swimming pool with their slobber. Heck, whole movies have been made on the hazards of doggie drool (think: Turner & Hooch, Beethoven, etc.). So why do they do it?
In most cases, all that visible drool is harmless. Messy, but harmless. Just like us humans, dogs emit saliva in order to aid their digestive process. Saliva moistens food (which could be the reason why you pup wolfs down entire chunks of their dry dog food like a Hoover vacuum). Saliva also helps clear their mouth of bacteria, which is good for their oral health. When a dog visibly drools, it’s most likely because they’re excitedly anticipating their next meal. (Yes, I know…it’s like they’re almost always anticipating their next meal.)
But if your dog is overly slobbery, it’s could be symptomatic of an underlying problem like an upset stomach, having eaten some inedible non-food item, or, worst-case, a tumor. You should definitely take your dog to the vet if they begin excessively drooling all of the sudden, or if you notice blood in their saliva.
Certain breeds, like Basset Hounds, St. Bernards, or (my favorite) Mastiffs, are all well-known for their slobbering prowess, but not necessarily because they produce more of it. Actually, breeds with certain mouth structures or uneven lips can just have difficulty containing their drool, which leads to leakage.
Nobody likes dog drool, but it helps if you just consider it a visible sign of just how much they love & trust you. A damp, slick, messy sign…but a sign nonetheless.
And, if you’ve got a Mundane Mystery you’d like to know about, send me a message via social media (@AndyWebbRadioVoice), or shoot me an email at [email protected].
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