bless you

[Missiowa]

why do people say bless you when someone sneezes. how did this originate?

[rekstout]

I have heard that it was something to do with Plague/Black Death where sneezing was an early symptom so one would say "God bless you" in the hope that God would ensure that it wasn't plague

[andy hughes]

Another version of medieval superstition is the belief that a devil may spring into your mouth as you opened it to sneeze - saying 'God Bless You' would prevent such an unfortunate event from occuring.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Re: Rekstout's answer - you might like to check the answer I gave for another question, which pours some doubt over this nevertheless widespread belief: question 9359

[BetteyKitten]

I thought it was because it was believed your soul escaped when you sneezed and therefore it was blessed!

[BreenM]

Whether it's true or not I'd heard that when you sneeze your heart pauses for a slight moment and the "bless you" is just a way of ensuring that it starts again.