"Sakes alive!" is an old-fashioned mild oath, popular in the 1930s through 1950s and recorded as early as the 1860s. [1] It derives from "Lord's sakes (alive)", equivalent to today's “my goodness”, “good Lord”, “oh my God” or "for God's sake".
Variants include "snakes alive!" and "saints alive!". [2]
"Sakes alive!" is an old-fashioned mild oath, popular in the 1930s through 1950s and recorded as early as the 1860s. [1] It derives from "Lord's sakes (alive)", equivalent to today's “my goodness”, “good Lord”, “oh my God” or "for God's sake".
Variants include "snakes alive!" and "saints alive!". [2]