why people say "bless you" when someone sneezes..
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
Canada
June 28, 2007 1:09pm CST
well, i had a discussion asking if people got offended if non-believers say "bless you" or if the non believer got offended for being blessed..
but i researched a little and found out that the reason why people say "bless you" is because in the oldern days they believed that evil spirits were coming out of your nose!! hahaha
so they thought the more you sneezed, the more evil things have been taken out of you!! allergies were a good thing back then i guess.. haha
1 person likes this
7 responses
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
29 Jun 07
My grandmother used to tell me that it was because your heart would stop and it would keep the devil from jumping in. Of course that is an old wive's tale, but it makes for an interesting topic. She also used to tell me that I couldn't sing at the dinner table becuase it was inviting the devil to dinner. I think she just wanted me to be quiet.
Over time, I think that saying God Bless you when someone sneezes is born of habit and polite manners.
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
30 Jun 07
yea heart stopping is a myth as well
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
28 Jun 07
LOL "allergies were a good thing back then" thats funny!! But ya I actually did know that....and as for whether or not I get offended if someone says "bless you" to me....pfft hell no LOL in fact I say either bless you or (when I'm feeling cheeky) "goesintight" LOL....Even before I knew the origin of "Bless you" it didnt phase me if someone said it to me...quite frankly I dont knwo why anyone would really...
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
30 Jun 07
lol... goesintight wtf haha
watch this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wts-dntnyh4
1 person likes this
@lvhughes (545)
• United States
28 Jun 07
for whatever makes us sneeze if was taught it polite and well manered to say God Bless you so i do. i hope i dont offend anyone with it though.never even thought of that you actully just brought it to my attention that it could possible offend someone. ohwell ill keep saying it and anyone that dont like it can say so
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
28 Jun 07
aren't priests/jesus/god the only people who can bless others? who are you to start blessing people?? lol
1 person likes this
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I've heard that when you sneeze (which I've been doing a lot of these days lol), your heart stops for a split second. That's why they say "bless you". I say it all the time!
God bless you! Sneeze or no sneeze!
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
28 Jun 07
yea, the heart stopping thing does not happen
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@Aurone (4755)
• United States
28 Jun 07
I heard it was because your heart stops when you sneeze and people thought that your soul would try to leave your body. So they said bless you to keep your soul in your body. Either way, I am not offended as a Wiccan when people say bless you. I think it is sweet people care enough to be polite.
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
28 Jun 07
year heart does not stop btw, thats just a myth.. my bio teacher explained that when we were studying the circulatory system..
1 person likes this
@jnallen_487 (800)
• United States
28 Jun 07
That is some very neat trivia. I didn't know that. I always wondered why you were supposed to say that. I always have but just thought it was the polite thing to do. Thanks for sharing!
@fightingistheonlyway (2658)
• Canada
28 Jun 07
haha no problem, it has a pretty funny history.
1 person likes this
@marshall_blake2000 (304)
• United States
29 Jun 07
Looks like they would say curse you, because you are spending germs. gauss bless you just sounds better
