2007-02-21 14:09:18 · 20 answers · asked by Alisha G 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
The custom of saying "God bless you" began as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (lived around 500 AD) called for prayers for God's help with the plague that was occuring at that time. When someone sneezed, they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not develop the plague. Obviously, there's no more plague but the phrase caught on!!
2007-02-21 14:21:44 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does seem a rather strange thing to say. You contort your face, expel mucus, and onlookers wish upon you a blessing from the big man. Very strange indeed...
The origin of the "bless you" tradition is not entirely clear. The urban legend experts at Snopes.com list an impressive number of possibilities. One involves the (hopefully) mistaken belief that a human's soul might escape through a sneeze. Saying "God bless you" wards off Satan while the soul is temporarily vulnerable.
Another story veers toward the medical. Once upon an unenlightened time, people believed that the heart stopped during a sneeze. A hearty "God bless you" set the ol' ticker back in motion. Keep in mind these were the days before defibrillators and HMOs.
Interesting, but the most popular theory comes from the Middle Ages. During the bubonic plague, a sneeze was believed to be a sign of impending death. "God bless you" was "a way of commending his soul to the care of God." The phrase may have also come in handy to protect oneself if someone nearby sneezed.
Today, "bless you" is more a sign of good manners than a shield against death. If only folks were as courteous about other involuntary bodily functions...
2007-02-22 08:16:03 · answer #2 · answered by uncle buck 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, this is the totally wrong place to put this question. But anyway, you say Bless You which is short for God Bless You. You say God Bless You to a person who sneezes because sneezing is usually associated with being sick. So your blessing them because there either "sick" or getting sick. It's like your wishing them well. Get it?
2007-02-21 22:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back in the 1800's they uses to say Bless you because when you sneeze your heart stops for a few second and they would say bless you to make sure that your heart would keep beating.....its true...swear!!
Good question though.
2007-02-21 22:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by BaBy KiSsEs!! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It supposed to be from the early days when it was believed that when we sneezed it was our souls trying to escape, then a person would bless the sneezer to get it back. It's just polite now. Hope this helps
2007-02-25 19:38:13 · answer #5 · answered by percsrock2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you sneeze, your heart stops for a split second. Thats why we say bless you
2007-02-22 11:43:33 · answer #6 · answered by Jake C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back before much was known about the nose and what irritates its linings, it was common belief that the soul was trying to escape the body via the nose when somebody sneezed. So, in order to combat the bad vibe, "God bless you!" was said to encourage the distressed soul to stay in the body. The same reason is also the origin of why we cover our mouths when we yawn--same story, just it was thought the soul could escape through the mouth unless it was covered when one yawned.
2007-02-21 22:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because according to ancient beliefs when a person sneezes it opens the door to the soul for the devil to enter and by saying "bless you" the devil is erradicated from the soul
2007-02-21 22:13:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an indian belief that part of your spirit leaves you when you sneez and blessing you returns it to you.
2007-02-21 22:50:02 · answer #9 · answered by AC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some one told me that we say bless you,because your heart stops beating,and blessing the person brings it back.
2007-02-21 22:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by Nae 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋