i heard from someone that it was because when the plague was happening, one of the signs was excessive sneezing so the people thought that whenever someone would sneeze, they were getting the disease so they would say bless you so they wouldn't get sick.
does anyone know if this was true, if not where is it derived from? just wondering, ahah
thanks!
2007-02-21 11:57:37 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
If memory serves; this custom began in 1917 during the influyenza pandemic.
Many people were literally so sick that when they sneezed they fell over dead; so people started sating that blessing after someone sneezed.
2007-02-21 23:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Way back in the old days people believed that when you sneezed demons or like spiritistic creatures would like be able to go into you, and so I guess they would say Bless You so that the demons wouldn't be able to go into you.
I don't know if that's right, but that's just what I've heard!
2007-02-22 12:22:03 · answer #2 · answered by JuSt_PeAcHy7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People say, "Bless you" when you sneeze because when you sneeze, your heart stops for a millisecond. If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib. If you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die. If you keep your eyes open by force, they can pop out.
2007-02-21 20:05:04 · answer #3 · answered by jennabeanski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the urban legend was that when you sneeze your heart stops or that evil can hurt you.
they would say god bless you so that you survived a sneeze unharmed and evil-free.
your heart doesnt stop, your eyes dont pop out, your ribs dont break, demons don't enter you.
all that happens is that your nasal membranes are irritated and are trying to expel the irritant. end of story.
2007-02-22 15:08:28 · answer #4 · answered by Jennisonfire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One myth about that is that since your mouth is wide open involuntarily, demons and such can enter you. And so you cover your mouth to stop them from getting in, and you say bless you to sort of excorcise any demon nearby for added safety.
Now don't ask why this doesn't cover yawning past the covering of the mouth...
2007-02-21 20:08:52 · answer #5 · answered by et c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
another myth would be that at a time ppl believed that when u sneezed you could lose ur soul. by saying "God bless you" it prevented that...
its possible that there are several different explanations behind it
2007-02-21 22:34:07 · answer #6 · answered by Nightstalkr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ive never heard that one. it was said because many years ago, people believed that evil spirits escaped your body whenever you sneezed and people would say it out of courticy
2007-02-21 20:09:11 · answer #7 · answered by .... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was invented in the 1600s in england. they thoght if u sneezed that ur soul escaped from ur body and that the devil can enter ur body. i starred ur question cuz its interesting =)
2007-02-21 22:50:34 · answer #8 · answered by Alondra M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋