In composing a reply the other day expressing some frustration,the phrase for the love of Mike popped into my head. I was about to use it when it occurred to me that I actually (to the best of my recollection) haven’t heard or used the phrase in decades and that many SDers might not understand the meaning. In any event, my bookmarked site on phrase origins as well as a google search led to only one inquiry in another forum that was not replied to.Does anyone know who Mike was?
I’ve always thought it was ‘For the love of Pete’
(or was that ‘For Pete’s sake’)
At any rate, maybe Mike is Pete’s brother!?
Lighter, American Dictionary of Slang says it is a euphemism for for the love of God .
He cites Mike from 1892 in print, and Pete from 1906. Mike gets many more cites than Pete. Mom always liked him best. 
My real name is Mike. I’m glad that I am so loved. 
Me. Still am, actually.
So…basically, when I die and go to heaven (<<lot of assumptions, I know) I could just saunter up to God and say, “Hey! How’s it going Mike?” ?
Gee, I don’t know, sounds a little informal to me…
Using “Mike” and “Pete” as replacements for God is a reference to the saints by those names: St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Peter, Gatekeeper of the Kingdom of Heaven. They’re not God, but one presumes that they would be rather significant figures in the day-to-day operations of the Hereafter.
Of course, iamutt, you probably could saunter (or fly) up to St. Mike and ask him how it’s going.
Chronos While you may be correct, where did you get the scoop on “Using “Mike” and “Pete” as replacements for God is a reference to the saints by those names: St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Peter, Gatekeeper of the Kingdom of Heaven.” ?