Gesundheit
Gesundheit is the German word for health. When somebody sneezes Germans reply by saying "Gesundheit!" to wish them good health. This expression has found its way into the English language with the first recorded examples appearing in the 1910s. The expression was probably common even earlier in German-speaking areas of America and spread outwards from there.
There are different theories about the origin of this phrase. One explanation is that the expression stems from the Middle Ages when the Bubonic Plague and other diseases were threatening Europe. In this case the one saying "Gesundheit" was actually wishing for good health for himself and trying not to catch anything from the one who had sneezed. Another explanation is that it was a belief that sneezing opened up an area in one's body which evil spirits could enter. Gesundheit was a form of a blessing in order to keep out the demons when the body was defenseless.
Referenced By
List of German expressions in English | List of German expressions in common English
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