2006-07-04 07:37:15 · 7 answers · asked by go_duke_blue_devils 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The word Godspeed is used to wish a person good fortune or success, as on starting a journey, a new business, etc. It is usually found in expressions of the sort "to bid (a person) Godspeed."
A few examples: "Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God-speed. So he went on with haste..." (John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress); "'I'm wishing you God-speed, Hattersley,' cried Arthur, 'and aiding you with my prayers'" (Anne Brontë Tenant of Wildfell Hall); "Rowland at the garden gate was giving his hostess Godspeed on her way to church" (Henry James, Roderick Hudson); "Eight years before he had seen his friend off at the North Wall and wished him God-speed" (James Joyce, Dubliners).
Godspeed is a nominalization of the phrase God speed (you), understanding which depends on two things: speed in this sense means 'to prosper; succeed', which is now archaic, but which is the original sense of the word; and the verb is subjunctive, expressing a wish, with the entire phrase meaning "may God cause you to succeed." Semantic parallels are such common expressions as God bless you or God forbid!; another nominalization is goddamn (as in "I don't give a good goddamn what you think"), shortened from God damn you.
The word Godspeed (which can also be written God-speed) is from Middle English, first found in personal names in the thirteenth century.
2006-07-04 07:41:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Phrase God Speed
2016-10-31 08:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When John Glenn was just off the pad in his Mercury-Atlas Friendship 7, backup astronaut and capcom Scott Carpenter said: "Godspeed, John Glenn."
Pretty famous moment and probably why one would associate Godspeed with pilots and astronauts,
2015-12-10 11:55:54 · answer #3 · answered by Apollo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've used the term for non-astronauts and pilots. I use it when someone is going on a long journey and you wish them well. I can't answer where the saying comes from.
2006-07-04 07:42:41 · answer #4 · answered by K R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To have a safe return trip,it comes from the heart
2006-07-04 07:40:51 · answer #5 · answered by Joe R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means good luck. It comes from religeon trying to creep into every aspect of our lives.
2006-07-04 07:41:15 · answer #6 · answered by Louis Z 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
May be the Max. speed.....I say....Max speed is..... the velocity of Light! :)
2006-07-04 07:42:07 · answer #7 · answered by Sikandar 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋