say nothing when we cough?
i've always wondered that...
2007-11-18 12:58:09 · 10 answers · asked by ღ♥ღℬαbycαkєs ღ♥ღ 4 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
It's gesundheit.
Years ago, people thought when you sneezed, your soul was expelled for a few seconds and in danger of getting taken over by demons or something, so they said "bless you" to head the demons off at the pass.
Gesundheit means "health".
2007-11-18 13:01:49 · answer #1 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was generally believed that when you sneezed it was to drive out evil spirits, so one was blessed afterwards in order to prevent them from re entering. Gesundheit merely means "health" or "good health" as it was believed that the sneeze symbolized an oncoming illness, probably delivered by those evil spirits that were trying to get back in. A cough on the other hand, could have such a multitude of causes that it wasn't generally accepted to be an indicator of illness or evil.
2007-11-18 21:05:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ice 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people used to believe that when you sneezed your soul left your body and became vulnerable for the Devil to steal. Hence the blessing.
I guess they didn't feel that a cough caused the same issue. Which is funny, because a cough comes from the area closer to your heart (lungs). Who ever heard of a soul hanging out in a nostril?
2007-11-18 21:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by blahdeblah 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't say anything because the whole reason behind it is people would say it because they thought your soul would escape when you sneezed so they blessed you to save your soul or some dumb crap like that.
I agree though, I'd rather say something when someone coughs, but what? "cough drop"?
2007-11-18 21:02:13 · answer #4 · answered by ame dragonfly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you know,thats funny,when i cough it sounds like a sneeze,so i get people saying god bless you and gauzuntite and when i tell them it wasnt a sneeze i get "OH"? they act kinda surprised. lmao!
2007-11-18 21:11:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well I never say bless you or that other word but when someone coughs I always say COVER YOUR MOUTH!
2007-11-18 21:11:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
god bless you is because when u sneeze your heart stops so u say god bless so god keeps it beating
2007-11-18 21:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when my kids put a good cough on, or anyone else, i say 'you okay?'
i think that's good enough. ;)
2007-11-18 21:01:14 · answer #8 · answered by The French Connection 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
and here I thout it was kiss in tight..
and..I hope the cougher says excuse me...
2007-11-18 21:01:15 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Smoothie, aka Mr. SmartAss 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question. too bad i dont have an answer for you.
2007-11-18 21:00:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋