A very long time ago
2007-02-23 01:29:58 · 5 answers · asked by Deonte S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When you sneeze, your heart skips a beat. The original intent was for the individual to be blessed before they die, in the event that the heart did not resume beating.
I use the phrase "bless you", just as you would use "please" or "thank you" - just good manners. I'm not trying to evangelize by using the phrase "bless you". And I do not say "GOD bless you", I say "bless you". No special reason, that's just what I've always said. I've never had anyone ask me not to say that, but I would respect someone's wishes if they did ask me not to say "bless you".
2007-02-23 01:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by Char 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answers vary, especially with the advent of the internet but I think the most plausible origin story is that it began when the bubonic plague hit Europe. When someone sneezed, it was thought to be the onset of the plague in the individual and so another would ask God to bless you so that you would not develop worsening symptoms.
Other answers include that your heart stops so you need to be blessed to get it started again (it doesn't stop) and that your soul is expelled with the sneeze (probably not) and so you need to be blessed so Satan won't take it from you. I think the first explanation is most plausible.
2007-02-23 09:36:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When sneezing, and people say Bless U, it was long ago thought that there were evil spirits in ur body, so they would say bless u to free them!!! Silly I know! And superstitious.
2007-02-23 09:35:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People used to think that when you sneezed your spirit left your body. If somebody quickly said "bless you" you would keep your spirit.
2007-02-23 10:17:50 · answer #4 · answered by Laura H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they couldn't spell conzunkite
2007-02-23 09:37:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋