So, I was reading a book on Isle Royale in Michigan and came across a reference. Apparently there was one resident who was quite colorful not only in his language but his use of other words to enhance those assorted four letter words. His name: Sam Hill, of the what in Sam Hill is this?

So I had to look it up on our great World Wide Web and was, naturally, more confused than ever.

Some say Sam Hill is a euphemism for the Devil or Hell.

That works.

Others say, it was about a merchantile in Prescott Arizona (Sam Hill’s Merchantile to be precise) that carried so much stuff folks had to ask Sam Hill what this was?

One or two sources blame a 1820s opera about the Devil and Samial (apparently sounds like Sam Hill)

Apparently, political Sam Hills abound and some credit them with the saying. I’m sure no one is surprised. Politicians take a lot of credit for everyone.

For Pete’s sake this isn’t a political post, so if you want more on Sam Hill, here’s the Wikipedia link.

As for Pete and why we call upon him, apparently that’s slang for God or Christ, because our buddy Pete is actually St. Peter. Oddly, we didn’t start using it (being officially recorded and all) until the 1920s.