2006-08-07 11:42:39 · 20 answers · asked by nb19 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
During the black plague in london...one of the symptoms of the plague was that you sneezed a lot so...someone who sneezed was blessed because it was beilieved that they would die of the black plague
2006-08-07 11:46:19 · answer #1 · answered by Kaypee 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In English-speaking countries, it is common for at least one person to say "Bless you" after someone sneezes. Its origins are unclear, but it has been cited as far back in Western culture as 150 CE in Apuleius' "The Golden ***." One story is that since the final stage of the Black Plague was sneezing, anyone who sneezed was thought to be at death's door and was blessed for the ascension into heaven.
For more details see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze
2006-08-07 11:51:03 · answer #2 · answered by Steve C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sneezing is sometimes the start of certain illnesses which in past times proved fatal. Invoking the Lords blessing was asking for protection.
Edited to say, the plague wasn't just in London. It came here from China and wiped out most of Europe.
2006-08-07 11:47:13 · answer #3 · answered by Nneave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sneezing was one of the first signs someone might be infected with the Black Death; it was also believed that a sneeze was the soul trying to leave the body.
2006-08-07 11:46:31 · answer #4 · answered by Darren R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it was in the olden days when there was the plague etc going about and if you sneezed it wasnt a good sign so people said bless you to protect you.
2006-08-07 11:47:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was said because when someone sneezed they thought a demon was trying to get out, thus, they said "bless you"
2006-08-07 11:56:52 · answer #6 · answered by Brittany H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its because when you sneeze your heart stops (for a short moment) People say bless you so that the devil or demonds don't get into you at that split second... At least thats what I've heard from a few people.
2006-08-07 11:49:54 · answer #7 · answered by Prettyeyez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes*!! it originates from the days of plague (or some other epidemic). one of the signs that someone was sick was that they would sneeze. this usually meant that the sick person was about to die, so they said "god bless you" in hopes that the sick person would get better. the tradition has carried on.
*and i'm only 15!!
2006-08-07 11:57:35 · answer #8 · answered by bisous *♥* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i was told it was because many many years ago, people believed that when someone sneezed it was the devil or evil coming out of them.
therefore they were blessed to be rid of the demons???
what ever it was, we know different now eh??
2006-08-07 11:50:31 · answer #9 · answered by tuppassister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because sneezing was and early sign of plague. So if you sneeze you have the plague and if you have the plague, you are going to die.
2006-08-07 11:47:13 · answer #10 · answered by Mungo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋