The Surprising Reason Behind Saying "Bless You" After a Sneeze

The Curious Tradition of Saying "Bless You" After a Sneeze

There are certain moments in life that seem trivial but carry centuries of history, superstition, and cultural nuance. One such moment is the reflexive “bless you” that follows a sneeze. Whether it's a polite acknowledgment or an echo of ancient fears, this simple phrase has endured through generations—and across languages.

The Origins of “Bless You”

The tradition of saying “bless you” after someone sneezes has two widely accepted explanations, both rooted in historical beliefs about health, spirituality, and survival.

According to linguist Amy Stewart from Oxford University Press, the phrase likely evolved from the longer expression “(may) God bless you.” In earlier times, a sneeze was not just a bodily function—it was interpreted as a sign of potential illness or even a spiritual disturbance. Sneezing was thought to either expel the soul or allow evil spirits to enter the body. A quick blessing was seen as a protective measure.

This belief gained prominence during the 6th century under Pope Gregory I, who reportedly encouraged people to say “bless you” during a deadly plague. Sneezing was considered a mortal symptom, and responding with a blessing became a way to invoke divine protection against death.

Another theory suggests that the phrase served as a kind of spiritual safeguard—something akin to knocking on wood. People feared that a sneeze might accidentally release their soul or open a portal for malevolent forces. Saying “bless you” was like casting a verbal spell to keep everything intact.

Dr. Don Ringe, a linguistics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, notes that while these theories aren’t definitively proven, they align with similar customs in other cultures. He also points out that linguistic parallels exist elsewhere, such as the German Gesundheit, which translates to “health.”

What Other Cultures Say When Someone Sneezes

While “bless you” dominates English-speaking countries, many other languages have their own unique responses to sneezing:

• German: Gesundheit! (meaning “health”)
• Spanish: ¡Salud! (also meaning “health”)
• Italian: Salute!
• French: À tes souhaits! (“to your wishes”)

Interestingly, these expressions all trace back to the Latin root salus, meaning health. In Mediterranean cultures, the response often carries a more cheerful tone, sometimes even doubling as a toast when clinking glasses.

In modern English, variations of the traditional “bless you” have emerged, reflecting contemporary attitudes and humor:

• “Excuse you” – A cheeky twist, best reserved for close friends or family members.
• “You good?” – A casual, slightly ironic question popular among younger generations.
• “Stop that!” – For those who’ve had enough of dramatic sneezers in tight spaces.

Why We Still Say It Today

Though science now tells us that sneezing is simply the body’s way of clearing irritants from the nasal passages, the custom of offering a verbal response persists. It’s part of what Stewart calls “etiquette tradition”—a habit formed long ago that continues to connect us socially.

Responding to a sneeze is more than politeness; it’s a tiny ritual that fosters human connection. Like holding a door open or pretending not to overhear a neighbor’s odd phone call, it smooths over daily interactions. And perhaps, just perhaps, there’s still a small part of us that hopes a well-placed blessing might keep something unseen at bay—even if only for a moment.