2006-08-16 09:12:19 · 24 answers · asked by surf's up 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The term "God bless You" is said to have originated sometime during the outbreak of the Black Plague in Europe. People would say that to a sneezing person , thinking that that particular person didn't have that much time to live, in which case the infected person was to get right with God before it was too late. At least that is what I've heard.
2006-08-16 09:22:39 · answer #1 · answered by P-fresh 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on if I am in the mood or not. In the Dark and Middle Ages, if someone sneezed, it was seen as an indication of illness, possibly consumption. Back then, there were no antibiotics, and so being ill usually meant you were on your way out. By saying "God Bless You," people were able to simultaneously wish the person either a speedy (miraculous) recovery, or a quick and painless death that would hopefully end in their ascension to heaven or purgatory. Nowadays, it is seen as common courtesy, like you saying "Excuse me" after sneezing - the person saying "Bless you," acknowledges that they do not blame you for sneezing.
2006-08-16 16:22:02 · answer #2 · answered by Ophelia J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is an old superstition that evil spirits can enter the body when you sneeze. Saying bless you helps prevent that.
2006-08-16 16:18:11 · answer #3 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when you sneeze your heart actually skips a beat. People say bless you as a precaution. You know just incase you kick the bucket...never seen anyone die from a sneeze though. Shoot I shouldn't say that...never say never. HA!
2006-08-16 16:18:00 · answer #4 · answered by Sugaree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that in olden times it was believed that when you sneezed, your soul was trying to escape, and people said "God bless you" to keep it in place. We know that isn't the reason for sneezing, but the practice still stands.
2006-08-16 16:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by sethle99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People used to believe the devil or an evil spirit could enter your body when you sneeze during midevil times, so people started saying God bless you.
2006-08-16 16:17:58 · answer #6 · answered by Carol R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is this tradition goes way back to Medevil period in Europe. It was believed that when a person sneezed, they were momentarily possessed by an evil spirit. While I don't know exactly what was said then, I believe it was the Puritan settlers who developed the phrase "God bless you" to ward off those evil spirits.
2006-08-16 16:24:35 · answer #7 · answered by superfastmoto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I know the official phrase is "God bless you" and it stems from old Puritan belief that if you sneezed, you were sneezing out the devil or demons, so one would say "God bless you"
2006-08-16 16:18:23 · answer #8 · answered by jessitinez 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you sneeze your heart stops. Therefore you say "bless you"
2006-08-16 16:50:58 · answer #9 · answered by PinkFloMo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People started saying that because every time you sneeze, your heart stops for a split second, and people say bless you to keep you from dieing.
I don't, i don't know why.
2006-08-16 16:18:28 · answer #10 · answered by Bob Chaves 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋