Why do people say "bless you" whenever someone sneezes?

The tradition of saying "bless you" or "God bless you" when someone sneezes is rooted in several historical and superstitional theories, although the exact origin is not definitively known. Here are some of the key explanations:

Soul Leaving the Body

One of the most enduring theories is that people believed a sneeze could cause the soul to temporarily leave the body. Saying "God bless you" or "Bless you" was thought to protect the person's soul from being snatched by evil spirits and to ensure its safe return14.

Heart Stopping or Skipping a Beat

Another theory, now debunked by medical experts, suggested that a sneeze could cause the heart to stop or skip a beat. The phrase "God bless you" was believed to help restart the heart or maintain its rhythm34.

Protection During the Plague

During the Middle Ages, particularly during the bubonic plague, saying "God bless you" was seen as a desperate prayer for health and protection against the deadly disease. Pope Gregory is said to have encouraged this practice as a way to offer blessings and protection14.

General Politeness and Cultural Tradition

In modern times, saying "bless you" has become a polite and ingrained cultural practice, even if the original superstitions are no longer widely believed. It is seen as a courteous response to a sneeze, similar to saying "excuse me" or other expressions of politeness14.

Alternative Phrases

In some cultures or communities, alternative phrases are used, such as "Gesundheit" (meaning "health" in German), which was introduced by German immigrants to the United States14.