Where does the phrase god bless you come from

We've all been there: in a room full of people, in a packed elevator or even walking down the street, when the sudden tingling urge for a sneeze comes on. That sneeze often triggers the "sneeze etiquette" -- a mysterious and silent message sent to the people next to you that unconsciously makes them say "bless you. Saying bless you is so ingrained in the American culture that if you sneeze and no one near you acknowledges, it creates a very noticeable, weird feeling.

Good manners dictate that every sneeze should be followed by some variation of "bless you. But have you ever wondered why we do it other than the fact that mama raised us right, that is? Unfortunately, the true origins of this bizarre social convention are a bit murky. But there are plenty of fascinating guesses, and not surprisingly, most of them are based heavily on superstition. The most popular theory is that it originated in Rome when the bubonic plague was ravaging Europe. Sneezing was one the plague's main symptoms, and it is believed that Pope Gregory I suggested a tiny prayer in the form of saying, "God bless you" after a sneeze would protect the person from death.

Where does the phrase god bless you come from

God bless you variants include God bless or bless you [1] is a common English phrase generally used to wish a person blessings in various situations, [1] [2] especially to "will the good of another person", as a response to a sneeze , and also, when parting or writing a valediction. Numbers , and by Christians, since the time of the early Church as a benediction , as well as a means of bidding a person Godspeed. The locution "God bless you" is used in Christian benedictions. Blessing is the projection of good into the life of another. It isn't just words. It's the actual putting forth of your will for the good of another person. It always involves God, because when you will the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing that. So we naturally say, "God bless you. You invoke God on their behalf to support the good that you will for them. This is the nature of blessing. It is what we are to receive from God and then give to another. National Geographic reports that during the Roman Plague of , " Pope Gregory I ordered unceasing prayer for divine intercession. Part of his command was that anyone sneezing be blessed immediately "God bless you" , since sneezing was often the first sign that someone was falling ill with the plague.

National Geographic reports that during the Roman Plague of" Pope Gregory I ordered unceasing prayer for divine intercession. Categories : English phrases Parting phrases Parting traditions. Crofton Croker

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The phrase is also often used when someone sneezes or does as an act of kindness. There are many theories behind it. Since then, it has been used in different formats and in different circumstances, but the meanings of this phrase as wishing blessings of God for someone have stayed the same. It is meant to wish wellbeing of someone except when used in an ironic sense. As I get up now to get ready for my meeting in a little bit I first of all just want to say God bless you dear in thanks for all you do and all the love you give to me. I will thank you deeply through all time for the light you give and the hope you have filled me with time and time again. May God bless you to know within your golden heart that you truly are a Queen who deserves the best, may bless you to know that you truly are one of his most special creations and gifts on this earth. May God always bless you so you will know and realize your abundant worth which far exceeds all the riches in the entire universe. God bless you my Angel Queen and feel all these hugs and kisses I send to thee. But in both cases, the poet has sent blessings of God for the people mentioned in them.

Where does the phrase god bless you come from

Many people have become accustomed to saying "bless you" or "gesundheit" when someone sneezes. No one says anything when someone coughs, blows their nose or burps, so why do sneezes get special treatment? What do those phrases actually mean, anyway?

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Numbers , and by Christians, since the time of the early Church as a benediction , as well as a means of bidding a person Godspeed. The beginning of this psalm echoes the priestly benediction from Numbers 6: May God bless you and keep you. Was this page helpful? List of Partners vendors. Crime and Courts 1 hour ago. Project Gutenberg. There he helped set up a food pantry in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. Skeptic Magazine. Newsletter Sign Up. Animals and Wildlife 1 hour ago. For many years in the Middle Ages, people believed that when you sneezed, your spirit left your body for a second. The phrase appeared in America thanks to German immigrants. Skip to content. Back to Article. I guess you don't care that I sneezed," is how Elena, a woman from Orlando, Florida, described the awkward post-sneeze silence.

No one knows why we say 'Bless you' after someone sneezes. We don't bless coughs or yawns or hiccups so there must be something significant about sneezing, it's just that we don't know what.

For instance, in Japan, silence is the norm. She has been scouring the Internet for the buzziest Southern news since joining the team in Harvard University Press. Saying bless you is so ingrained in the American culture that if you sneeze and no one near you acknowledges, it creates a very noticeable, weird feeling. Use limited data to select advertising. It always involves God, because when you will the good of another person, you realize only God is capable of bringing that. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Speech Acts in the History of English. While in college, he was the Editorial Head of the school's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. So, the thought went, to say "bless you" could bring you back to life and also keep evil spirits from entering you in the instant or two that you were believed to have been gone.