What's up with " bless you and gesundheit?
By Anne Tiala
@galactic_gurl2007 (84)
Philippines
January 22, 2013 9:14pm CST
If youve ever sneezed in public place, youve probably heard someone instinctively say, "bless you" or "gesundheit ". Why would the say that? What does it mean? the term "bless you " come from "god bless you " during the plague, when sneezing is a common sign of the illness, and "gesundheit" literary means "health".
3 responses
@xocolatedrool (414)
• India
23 Jan 13
that sounds very much oldy, oldy or more like a preacher. Ewww...
@galactic_gurl2007 (84)
• Philippines
23 Jan 13
yes your right xocolatedrool this is very old and common to everyboby . i am just asking coz till now its confusing me. and i never ask these to anybody just now. because philippines means that by illness and the other two country means that by good health and bless them..:) anyhow thank u for sharing ur short idea. :) god bless
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
24 Jan 13
I don't know if it is the right explanation, but I have heard that the words "bless you" comes from old superstitions. In the past people believed that the soul was able to ecape through the nose when a person sneezed. When the soul had left the body thorugh the nose, they believed that the devil could take the soul. People said "bless you" in order to prevent the devil from from taking the soul. According to that old superstition it was simply a way to protect the person who sneezed. Today it is quite funny to think about those beliefs, but in the past they believed in it.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Jan 13
That puzzles me as well..... If it was because of a plague , why would somebody say bless you if you have the colds? Is sickness a blessing?
