Why we say “bless you” after a sneeze

It happens so fast. Someone sneezes, and before you even have time to think, you respond with “bless you.” Why? This phrase has existed for centuries, and it’s not necessarily anything to do with the Plague, which is what most people think. Let’s find out the interesting history behind saying this.

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Ancient Greek omens

Homer was an ancient Greek poet, and during his time, a sneeze could interrupt a conversation. It would instantly change how everyone interpreted what was said. In Homer’s The Odyssey, the characters see a single sneeze as a sign from the gods, and in real life, the ancient Greeks believed it made sense to say a quick blessing or nod afterward.

Rabbinic customs

Among Jewish communities, sneezing wasn’t something to ignore, with old rabbinic texts also mentioning sneezing as a good sign. This was especially important when someone was sick. People had set phrases, like wishing someone health in Aramaic, which was essentially the original form of “bless you” in a different language.

Renaissance etiquette

Erasmus wrote these rulebooks on manners, and in these books, he included notes on sneezing. He told kids how to cover their faces & avoid grossing out their peers, as well as how to politely respond when someone said something kind afterward. This made “bless you” less of a superstition and more a form of etiquette.

A Latin health wish

Across Europe, people used Latin to share their blessings after sneezes. One of them was prosit, and this essentially translates to you hoping that the sneeze would “do you good.” Such a short saying spread through schools & polite society all over Europe, until English speakers eventually created “God bless you.”

The plague connection

There’s a myth that the phrase came from Europe during the plague. People were terrified of sudden sickness, & sneezing made everyone uneasy because it could happen right before serious symptoms appeared. Apparently, this is where “God bless you” came from, as a way to pray that they’d be okay. But the phrase existed long before this time.

Islamic traditions

Muslim communities have a rather specific sneeze routine that goes back centuries. The sneezer thanks God & the listener answers with a mercy wish, and it’s something they teach in religious texts. To this day, many Muslim people still follow this tradition in their homes and mosques.

Soul-protection beliefs & the quick blessing

A long time ago, some people treated sneezes as dangerous moments for the soul. Yes, really. The idea was that something harmful could slip in while a person was sneezing, so saying “bless you” would stop that from happening. It may sound bizarre today, but it’s something people took rather seriously in the past.

Court etiquette

But not every culture supported the loud “bless you” we’re used to. In the 17th-century French court, people had to handle sneezes with a bit more polish, so whenever someone higher up the social ladder sneezed, you didn’t shout anything. You gave them a small bow or a hat tip & kept your mouth shut to let your manners do the work.

Modern English use

Over time, “God bless you” turned into just “bless you.” The religious side to it has disappeared for many English speakers. Even people who aren’t religious say it automatically. It’s one of those habits you pick up as a kid, and it’s unlikely to go away anytime soon.

The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article: