Register - Log In


FunTrivia Homepage


  • New Questions

  • Unanswered


  • Post a Question

    • Goto Qn #




    Archives

    Why do people say 'bless you' when another person sneezes?

    Question #80176. Asked by xo_cinnabon. (May 10 07 8:12 AM)


    elburcher

    		One traditional explanation for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (AD 540-604) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague in AD 590 (his successor succumbed to it). To combat the plague, Gregory ordered litanies, processions, and unceasing prayer for God's blessing. When someone sneezed (seen as the initial onset of the plague), they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not actually develop the disease.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bless_you

    May 10 07, 8:31 AM
    star_gazer

    		They use to think that a demon was leaving the body when a sneeze would occure.

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070505150123AAfwS4v

    May 10 07, 8:33 AM
    Beeniebrat

    		just a saying when someone prays they just say bless you because it just comes natural, and it means ur healthy

    May 10 07, 8:40 AM
    sdelozier82

    		According to Milhouse from the Simpsons "when you sneeze thats your soul trying to escape and saying God Bless You crams it back in."

    May 10 07, 1:00 PM
    MonkeyOnALeash

    		All are correct fables! If there is a correct fable!

    May 11 07, 7:28 PM

    Find something useful here? Please help us spread the word about FunTrivia. Recommend this page below!


    Sign up to see all responses!

    Create a Free ID instantly to see all recent responses, post your own follow-ups or questions, and access over 1,000,000 trivia questions!

    Choose a User Name:
    Your Email Address:
    Choose a Password:

    I agree by the terms outlined in FunTrivia's Conditions of Use




    Other Similar Questions & Answers


    Why do we say "bless you" when someone sneezes?

    Where did the custom of saying "bless you" after someone sneezes originate?

    It's a habit to say "Bless you" after someone sneezes. Where did this habit come from?

    Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online

    1 People 1
    This is a new category for me.
    		Name Game Tough
    10 Q
    steiny1
    Apr 09 01
    978 plays
    2 '17 People'
    This is a quiz on the second season episode that aired on April 4, 2001.
    		'West Wing' - Season 2 Average
    10 Q
    pennie1478
    Sep 02 04
    771 plays
    3 2.18 "17 People"
    All of these questions pertain to the episode titled "17 People", which was the eighteenth episode of season two. Good luck!
    		'West Wing' - Season 2 Average
    10 Q
    CAGuy0206
    Sep 05 10
    99 plays




    "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated response if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.