Ever sneezed and automatically heard a chorus of "Bless you"? It's such a common reaction, we barely think about it. But why do we say it? The origins of this quirky custom are shrouded in a sneeze-induced mist of folklore and history.
One popular theory dates back to the bubonic plague. Sneezing was an early symptom, so saying "God bless you" was a desperate plea to ward off the deadly disease. Another belief, from even earlier times, held that a sneeze expelled your soul, or at least made you vulnerable to evil spirits entering your body. "Bless you" was thus a protective incantation.
Some even suggest the heart momentarily stops during a sneeze (though this isn't true!), and the blessing was a way to ensure you started up again! Whatever the true origin, saying "Bless you" has evolved from a potentially life-saving utterance to a simple act of politeness and acknowledgment in our modern world. So, next time you sneeze, appreciate the long and fascinating history behind that automatic response!
