2007-03-05 03:28:48 · 19 answers · asked by SHE RAH!!! 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I do in the late 1800 to early 1900, the pope or priest not sure which one, would bless anyone that got a cold.lots of people died
2007-03-05 03:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by looby 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many years ago, like in the Middle Ages, they did not have the same tye of medical care that we have now. If someone caught a cold, or the flu, it was VERY serious, in fact many people died from the common cold. They couldn't just reach into a medecine cabinet, and pull out some Robotusin (sp* lol) like we can today, so when someone sneezed they took it very seriously, as if it were a sign of being, or becomming very sick. The term "Bless You" is literally requesting a blessing from God to cure that person's sickness. Today, however we say it more out of tradition, as a courtesy. Great Question!
2007-03-05 11:43:50 · answer #2 · answered by fachizzzzle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I can remember it goes back to the Plague in the 1600s, which is where Ring a Ring o Roses came from. England at that time was religious, with God all knowing and seeing. If someone sneezed there was a mortal fear of illness so they sent a prayer to God to protect them. Hence God Bless You. You also had as much hope asking for God's help as you did with the doctor. Mortality rates, even for simple things were very high due to the lack of sanitation and basic hygiene.
2007-03-05 13:04:27 · answer #3 · answered by jemima 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because in the olden days a sneeze meant a cold or flu which could be fatal therefore the person was BLESSED
2007-03-07 14:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The origin of the phrase is debatable. The one I like best is this. At one time it was thought that a forceful sneeze could expel the soul from the body. "Bless you" was uttered to keep Satan from taking the soul before it reentered the body.
2007-03-05 14:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Curiosity 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There seems to be no clear answer as to how this phrase originated.
Snopes simply says that the answer of the phrases origins has been lost in History. The Straight Dope website agrees with the people who say it comes from the time of the plague, but does not provide a source. Ask Yahoo! also takled this question without coming up with a definitive answer.
2007-03-05 16:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by MrLiburyin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It stems from the time of the black death/bubonic plague. People thought that it could be spread between people through sneezing etc, so wen someone sneezed they would say bless you to try to sorta protect the person from getting the plague.
2007-03-05 11:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by vickyvixen84 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Virginia is absolutely right. A sneeze would temporarily expell your soul outside the body and in that short instant the devil could snatch it. The complete phrase is "God Bless You"
2007-03-05 15:38:25 · answer #8 · answered by Just Me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah because every time you sneeze he blessing you.
2007-03-09 09:57:21 · answer #9 · answered by Charmell J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Nan told me that a sneeze was a moment of weakness when the devil could sneak in. People said bless you to keep him out !
Crazy I know......
2007-03-08 06:50:00 · answer #10 · answered by Gail H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋