Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a general excl. of exasperation.

1922		‘J.H. Ross’ Mint (1955) 101: What for fuck’s sake’s the matter now?
1933		R. Chandler ‘Blackmailers Don’t Shoot’ in Red Wind (1946) 84: For — sake do something besides talk!
c.1950		Nunnery versus Fuckery 56: ‘I’ve just told you how much I need you, for fuck’s sake’.
1963		C. Wood ‘Prisoner and Escort’ in Cockade (1965) I iii: Promise me – not your socks – for fuck’s sake if not for my sake not your stiff grey socks.
1970		G.F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 92: Oh don’t be so naïve, Angie, for fuck’s sake!
1981		S. Berkoff Decadence in Decadence and Other Plays (1985) 37: Don’t fuck for love for fuck’s sake.
1985		‘Thommo’ Dict. Aus. Swearing & Sex Sayings n.p.: FOR FUCK SAKE — A verbal expression of exasperation similar to for God’s sake, for Heaven’s sake or for Christ’s sake.
1988		R. Doyle Commitments 84: Jaysis, Cuffe, take it easy. For fuck sake!
1995		J. Cameron Vinnie Got Blown Away 140: Down your waistband Nicky fuck’s sake not your pocket. And not down the front or you likely shoot your dick off.
1998		G. Burn Happy Like Murderers 324: For fucksake, close your legs, mum.
1998		I. Welsh Filth 236: Hudnae even unpacked the suitcase before ah wis pokin you, fir fick’s sakes!
2000		Z. Smith White Teeth 18: It’s New Year’s Day, for fuckssake. You best come in.
2004		T. Winton Turning (2005) 142: Why can’t we have a bloody house [...] With a toilet, for fucksake.
2010		L. Redhead Thrill City [ebook] Fuck’s sake, it’s not even a two hour drive.
2013		K. Sampson Killing Pool 9: Fuck sake, girl, a collar is a collar is a collar.
2017		A. Parks Bloody January 93: ‘Fuck sake, pack it in, you two’.
2019		C. Hammer Silver [ebook] ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake!’.
2021		T. Swerdlow Straight Dope [ebook] — Oh, please, for fuck’s sake.
2021		Breen & Conlon Hitmen 231: ‘[B]it of coke [...] Fuck’s sake, very strong’.
2023		A. Parks To Die in June 35: ‘Fuck sake,’ said Wattie. ‘I think she’s fainted’.