I'm curious as to where and why it originated.
2007-04-25 06:25:26 · 9 answers · asked by Simon 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
For the most part, the various sneeze responses originated from ancient superstitions. Some people believed that a sneeze causes the soul to escape the body through the nose. Saying "bless you" would stop the devil from claiming the person's freed soul. Others believed the opposite: that evil spirits use the sneeze as an opportunity to enter a person's body. There was also the misconception that the heart momentarily stops during a sneeze (it doesn't), and that saying "bless you" was a way of welcoming the person back to life.
2007-04-25 06:31:41 · answer #1 · answered by Mimi 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its because of the spirit thing that other people mentioned. I personally think its a stupid thing to say and I wish people would eventually stop saying it. When I sneeze, I don't want people saying "bless you" and then I have to thank them for it. I know people are just being polite, but it is silly to me. My family jokes that when people fart, is when "bless you" should really be said. ha ha.
2007-04-25 07:12:26 · answer #2 · answered by jack russell girl 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
originally it was thought that you could be possessed by a demon when you sneezed. The phrase was God bless you , to keep you safe. Now, people have shortened it, and I guess it has stuck around.
2007-04-25 06:40:33 · answer #3 · answered by country_girl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am not sure but I live in the Middle East and was surprised that the Arabs say "Allhumduallah" when one sneezes which means "Thanks to God". I think that is nice and is similar to our "Bless you".
2007-04-25 08:23:35 · answer #4 · answered by jan in uae 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told it was because people once thought that evil spirits could enter your body when you were sneezing, so the thought that by blessing the person, they could keep them from getting possessed.
2007-04-25 06:31:15 · answer #5 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
see, i was under the impression that by sneezing, one was eradicating the eveil spirit from the body and people responded with "God Bless You!" so reclaim the person's soul
2007-04-25 06:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by giggityallriiight 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because when you sneeze,the shock toyour body and heart is great eneough to kill you,...so it is customary to say,"God bless you," as a blessing that you survived the shock.
2007-04-25 06:42:35 · answer #7 · answered by STORMY 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well when you sneeze, your heart skips a beat...so I guess bless you is like..idunno...i guess blessing your heart to keep beating?
2007-04-25 06:33:46 · answer #8 · answered by Ms Phil 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to stay alive :))))
2007-04-25 06:46:25 · answer #9 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋