2007-12-03 19:52:01 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Kev partly bet me to the reply - Barbara Tuchman's monumental study of the end of the medieval age, "A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century," discusses the entire and awful cutlure prompted by the Black Death, and this is partly discussed in that.
However, as the Wikipedia citation Kev gave notes, the plague-related use of the phrase arose in the 500's. What Kev missed in that entry was that others say the documented use of "bless you" after sneezing is dated to at least 77 AD, and is considered to be far older than that.
As a result, the answer to your question lies not with Christians and bubonic plague, but with the pagan Roman Empire - and, perhaps, some distant conquered land in the far-flung Empire. The Romans were equal-opportunity adopters of others' customs.
OK, Jordyn, share that plan of yours for a time machine so we can REALLY find out!
2007-12-03 23:36:47 · answer #1 · answered by Der Lange 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Apparently it dates back to The Plague. Sneezing is a common symptom of The Plague, so people would say bless you to try and stop the disease from spreading. Although there is loads of different theories why people say it.
Edit: Morning Busy Bee!
2007-12-04 03:59:42 · answer #2 · answered by Kev 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
people sneeze when there is a sudden change in temperature. ie. u come from a cold place to a warm place or u get out of ur house and go outside where there is sun shine.
so the lungs squeezes itself to through out the microbs accumulated inside ur lungs.
people bless u because they know it is good for ur health.
2007-12-04 08:24:54 · answer #3 · answered by cooool dude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because your heart skips a beat and your blessed it started pumping again! And it's the polite thing to do. Just cover your mouth when you do!
2007-12-04 05:01:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the heart stops for a moment you sneeze.
2007-12-04 03:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question! I like sneezing! To me it feels like it releases stress...
2007-12-04 05:44:57 · answer #6 · answered by space chimp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
back in the 14 century people thought it was the devil coming inside of you so the religious people would tell them "Bless you". So that the devil would come out.
2007-12-04 03:55:05 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To wish you good health because in the past they believed you had got an infection. (The Germans say "gazundheit" meaning "good health" for the same reason. Hope the spelling is right, my German isn't good!! ;(
2007-12-04 07:35:42 · answer #8 · answered by survivor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people think your Heart skips a beat..so I've been told
2007-12-04 03:56:46 · answer #9 · answered by little eagle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the heart stops for a moment when you sneeze.
and it is a better way of saying "yak go away"
2007-12-04 04:24:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋