Throughout human history , sneezing has been considered an act desirable of comment . In ancient times , some culture believed that sneeze was a sign of a devil exiting the consistence . When Odysseus ’ wife hears her son sneeze inThe Odyssey , sheinterprets it as a signthat her hubby will come home safely . InJapan , a sneeze indicates that someone is speaking well of you somewhere .
The verbal blessings bestowed upon sneezers are often attributed to the sixth century pope Gregory the Great , who invoked “ God sign you ” as security against the bubonic plague that was chafe through Europe at the clip . However , while an American sneeze is likely to earn a blessing , other culture react to a prig roquette differently . Here are six international choice to “ sanctify you . ”
1. “Health!”
The common German - language response to sneezing — Gesundheit!—simply mean " wellness . " “ Gesundheit ” make out into American argot by way of German - speaking immigrant . Other linguistic process have equivalent exhortation , like the Spanish “ Salud ! ” or the Maltese “ Evviva ! ” The Russian version , “ Будьте здоровы ” is a more forceful “ be healthy . ”
2. “Live long and prosper.”
The full Turkish reply to a sternutation is straight out ofStar Trek : “ çok yaşa , rahat yaşa ” means “ live long and thrive , ” though it’soften shortenedjust to “ live long . ” The response , “ sen de gör , ” literally translates to “ you see it , too . ”
3. “God smother you!”
A common Lusitanian response to sneezing is “ Santinho ! ” or “ Little saint ! ” However , you may also get wind “ Deus te abafe , ” a phrase that around stand for “ God repress you ! ” ( It ’s translated bysomeas “ May god put a blanket over you , ” which is a far better matter to imagine . )
4. “To your wishes!”
In French , it ’s civil to express a hope that all your sneezy familiar ’s compliments get along reliable . The Gallic version of bless you , “ à tes souhaits , ” intend “ to your wishes . ” A second sneeze is recognize with “ à tes amours,”or “ to your love . ”
5. “The weather will be nice tomorrow!”
After the first two sneezes , the Dutchwelcomea third sneeze with the phrase , “ Morgen mooi weer ! ” or “ The weather will be nice tomorrow ! ”
6. “Grow!”
In his 1976 ethnography of Zulu culture , authorAxel - Ivar Berglundreports that “ of a homo who sneezes , it is said ‘ Thuthuka . ’ ” Or , in other intelligence , “ grow ! ”
