God bless you: Difference between revisions
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{{Wiktionary}} |
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'''Bless you''' is a common [[English language|English]] expression |
'''Bless you''' is a common [[English language|English]] expression addressed to a person after they [[sneeze]]. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown. In current practice, it is merely a socially obligated response.<ref name="Snopes"/> |
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==Origins== |
==Origins and legends== |
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Several possible origins are commonly given. The practice of blessing a sneeze, dating as far back as at least 77 CE, however, is far older than most specific explanations can account for.<ref name="Snopes"/> |
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One |
One explanation holds that the custom originally began as an actual [[blessing]]. [[Pope Gregory I|Gregory I]] became Pope in 590 as an [[Plague of Justinian|outbreak]] of the [[bubonic plague]] was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease.<ref name="Dope">Straight Dope. Ed Zotti, Editor. [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgesundheit.html ''Why Do We Say "God Bless You" After a Sneeze?''] 27 September, 2001.</ref> |
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A varient of the Pope Gregory I story places it with [[Pope Gregory VII]], then tells the common (though untrue) story of "[[Ring around the rosey#Plague interpretation|Ring Around the Rosey]]" being connected to the same plague.<ref name="West"> [http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug97/870807554.Me.r.html] Mad Scientist posting by Robert West, Post-doc/Fellow</ref> |
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==Superstition== |
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A legend holds that it was believed that the [[heart]] stops when you sneeze, and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.<ref name="Wilson">[http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/mar98/890925984.An.r.html] Mad Scientist posting by Tom Wilson, M.D./PhD, Pathology, Div. of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine </ref><ref name="Dope"/><ref name="Snopes"/> |
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Other explanations are based on [[superstitions]] and [[urban legends]] about sneezing and what a sneeze entails. Some well known superstitions that may have contributed to bringing "bless you" into common use are: |
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Another version says that people used to believe that your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze,<ref name="Snopes">[http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/blessyou.asp Snopes Urban Legends] - Bless You!</ref>, that sneezing otherwise opened your body to invasion by the Devil <ref name="Dope"/> or evil spirits,<ref name="Wilson"/> or that sneezing was your body's effort to force out an invading evil spirit<ref name="Snopes"/>. Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil. |
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Oxford University Biology Professor, Bindi Perkins suggests: When you need to sneeze, it helps to look at a brighter light or at the sun. Looking at a bright light or at the sun can direct light up into the nasal cavity which in-turn reflects light from the dust particles up into your cerebral membrane. It is here that the sneezing mechanism is triggered. |
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The belief that the [[heart]] stops when you sneeze, and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating. (Of course, the heart beats because of electrical pulses that are not affected by normal functions like sneezing.) |
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*Your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze, and saying "bless you" prevents your soul from being stolen by [[Satan]] or some evil spirit. Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil. |
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*A sneeze is good luck and saying "bless you" is no more than recognition of the sneezer's luckiness. |
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Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers<ref name="West"/> or an omen of good fortune or good luck.<ref name="Snopes"/> In this case, "Bless you" would be in recognition of that luck. |
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An urban legend states that you ''cannot'' open your eyes while you sneeze, or if you manage to your eyes will pop out.<ref name="Dope2">Straight Dope. Cecil Adams. [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_304.html ''If you hold your eyelids open while sneezing, will your eyes pop out?''] 10July, 1987.</ref> The legend was tested by [[MythBusters]] who found no ill effects from holding eyes open during a sneeze.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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In many English-speaking countries, the [[German language|German]] equivalent, [[gesundheit]] (which means "good health"), is used after sneezing or coughing. |
In many English-speaking countries, the [[German language|German]] equivalent, [[gesundheit]] (which means "good health"), is used after sneezing or coughing.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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When Russians hear someone sneezing they immediately say "будь здоров" or "будьте здоровы" which means "be healthy", to which the sneezer will reply "спасибо" which means "thanks".{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Also, Russian and German superstition has it that if someone sneezes shortly after saying something — it is an affirmative omen in that something that has just been said is correct.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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==Alternative intent== |
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One other usage of the phrase "Bless you" in response to a sneeze is to bless or thank a person who sneezes but covers his or her mouth and nose with a tissue, handerkerchief, sleeve, or even a hand (hopefully then washing the hands before touching shared items) as an act of concern and courtesy to others, in order to avoid spreading the germs expelled so as not to sicken other people. Presumably, a person who fails to demonstrate such concern and courtesy by not covering the mouth and nose during a sneeze would not be blessed or thanked. |
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In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], one would say nooru, which is 100 thereby wishing someone to live a 100 years.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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# Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. Ed Zotti, Editor. [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgesundheit.html ''Why Do We Say "God Bless You" After a Sneeze?''] Sept. 27, 2001. |
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# Dr.Tom Wilson of Washington University School of Medicine. 1998. [http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/mar98/890925984.An.r.html] |
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# [http://www.snopes.com/language/phrases/blessyou.asp Snopes Urban Legends] - Bless You! |
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[[Category:English phrases]] |
[[Category:English phrases]] |
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Revision as of 16:19, 24 October 2007
Bless you is a common English expression addressed to a person after they sneeze. The origin of the custom and its original purpose are unknown. In current practice, it is merely a socially obligated response.[1]
Origins and legends
Several possible origins are commonly given. The practice of blessing a sneeze, dating as far back as at least 77 CE, however, is far older than most specific explanations can account for.[1]
One explanation holds that the custom originally began as an actual blessing. Gregory I became Pope in 590 as an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, he ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease.[2]
A varient of the Pope Gregory I story places it with Pope Gregory VII, then tells the common (though untrue) story of "Ring Around the Rosey" being connected to the same plague.[3]
A legend holds that it was believed that the heart stops when you sneeze, and the phrase "bless you" is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.[4][2][1]
Another version says that people used to believe that your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze,[1], that sneezing otherwise opened your body to invasion by the Devil [2] or evil spirits,[4] or that sneezing was your body's effort to force out an invading evil spirit[1]. Thus, "bless you" or "God bless you" is used as a sort of shield against evil.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began simply as a response for an event that wasn't well understood at the time.[citation needed]
Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers[3] or an omen of good fortune or good luck.[1] In this case, "Bless you" would be in recognition of that luck.
An urban legend states that you cannot open your eyes while you sneeze, or if you manage to your eyes will pop out.[5] The legend was tested by MythBusters who found no ill effects from holding eyes open during a sneeze.[citation needed]
In many English-speaking countries, the German equivalent, gesundheit (which means "good health"), is used after sneezing or coughing.[citation needed]
When Russians hear someone sneezing they immediately say "будь здоров" or "будьте здоровы" which means "be healthy", to which the sneezer will reply "спасибо" which means "thanks".[citation needed] Also, Russian and German superstition has it that if someone sneezes shortly after saying something — it is an affirmative omen in that something that has just been said is correct.[citation needed]
In Tamil, one would say nooru, which is 100 thereby wishing someone to live a 100 years.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Snopes Urban Legends - Bless You!
- ^ a b c Straight Dope. Ed Zotti, Editor. Why Do We Say "God Bless You" After a Sneeze? 27 September, 2001.
- ^ a b [1] Mad Scientist posting by Robert West, Post-doc/Fellow
- ^ a b [2] Mad Scientist posting by Tom Wilson, M.D./PhD, Pathology, Div. of Molecular Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine
- ^ Straight Dope. Cecil Adams. If you hold your eyelids open while sneezing, will your eyes pop out? 10July, 1987.
- Opie, Iona, and Moira Tatem. A Dictionary of Superstitions. Oxford University Press; Oxford, 1992. ISBN 0-19-282916-5