"God bless you".

I typically just hear it being said when someone sneezes. I read at some point that the religious said it because it was thought souls were trying to escape and that's why you sneeze.

I've also heard it used as a way to kinda say thanks...? Like, "Oh you did this for me? God Bless you".

But, an orger said this to me recently:

"If you are successful with your hands-off approach, then God bless you"

What does this mean? I never really understood the term being used this way...

Maybe it's a local term, but it's intended to convey a sense of against-the-odds achievement with blessings from above, with a hint of disbelief.

"If you can eat those 6 hot dogs and not get indigestion, the God bless you."

"If he can ace that mid-term exam without studying at all, then God bless him."

"If she can drive that sports car in the snow without getting stuck, then God bless her."


Used frequently around these parts. That's the best way I can explain it.

PurpleJedi said:

Maybe it's a local term, but it's intended to convey a sense of against-the-odds achievement with blessings from above, with a hint of disbelief.

"If you can eat those 6 hot dogs and not get indigestion, the God bless you."

"If he can ace that mid-term exam without studying at all, then God bless him."

"If she can drive that sports car in the snow without getting stuck, then God bless her."


Used frequently around these parts. That's the best way I can explain it.

So it's basically a condescending comment. Weird.

I thought the origin of the term God bless you came from the Bubonic plague period when a cough could be indication of severe illness then death. Thus, people would say God bless you.

However, PJ's explanation above sounds spot on for your situation.

kewlschool said:

I thought the origin of the term God bless you came from the Bubonic plague period when a cough could be indication of severe illness then death. Thus, people would say God bless you.

However, PJ's explanation above sounds spot on for your situation.

Interesting.

kewlschool said:

I thought the origin of the term God bless you came from the Bubonic plague period when a cough could be indication of severe illness then death. Thus, people would say God bless you.

However, PJ's explanation above sounds spot on for your situation.

It must be working, the plague has not come back!

PurpleJedi said:

Maybe it's a local term, but it's intended to convey a sense of against-the-odds achievement with blessings from above, with a hint of disbelief.

"If you can eat those 6 hot dogs and not get indigestion, the God bless you."

"If he can ace that mid-term exam without studying at all, then God bless him."

"If she can drive that sports car in the snow without getting stuck, then God bless her."


Used frequently around these parts. That's the best way I can explain it.

Seeing as churches are looking to update their images and bring in the younger generation, maybe they should think about replacing it with "you go, girl!"

It doesnt always have to be said with contempt...

It could also be taken as " if you are able to get by with that behavior then more power to you" type of statement...

I guess it depends on the tone of the conversation

tinaz said:

It doesnt always have to be said with contempt...

It could also be taken as " if you are able to get by with that behavior then more power to you" type of statement...

I guess it depends on the tone of the conversation

Ah yes, this makes the most sense.

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

Maybe it's a local term, but it's intended to convey a sense of against-the-odds achievement with blessings from above, with a hint of disbelief.

"If you can eat those 6 hot dogs and not get indigestion, the God bless you."

"If he can ace that mid-term exam without studying at all, then God bless him."

"If she can drive that sports car in the snow without getting stuck, then God bless her."


Used frequently around these parts. That's the best way I can explain it.

Seeing as churches are looking to update their images and bring in the younger generation, maybe they should think about replacing it with "you go, girl!"

Why, everyone says 'Be blessed' 'I'm blessed' 'God bless'

.

I even know a guy who says he's atheist, that around Christmas time, to me and to people on his facebook who wish him a merry christmas replies with 'God bless'

JustErin said:

tinaz said:

It doesnt always have to be said with contempt...

It could also be taken as " if you are able to get by with that behavior then more power to you" type of statement...

I guess it depends on the tone of the conversation

Ah yes, this makes the most sense.

That's the way I've always taken it too, it's usually when a person sees something as very hard or difficult, and they finish with 'More Power to you' or 'God bless'

kewlschool said:

I thought the origin of the term God bless you came from the Bubonic plague period when a cough could be indication of severe illness then death. Thus, people would say God bless you.

However, PJ's explanation above sounds spot on for your situation.

that is the origin.

OldFriends4Sale said:

NDRU said:

Seeing as churches are looking to update their images and bring in the younger generation, maybe they should think about replacing it with "you go, girl!"

Why, everyone says 'Be blessed' 'I'm blessed' 'God bless'

.

I even know a guy who says he's atheist, that around Christmas time, to me and to people on his facebook who wish him a merry christmas replies with 'God bless'

No, they don't.

JustErin said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Why, everyone says 'Be blessed' 'I'm blessed' 'God bless'

.

I even know a guy who says he's atheist, that around Christmas time, to me and to people on his facebook who wish him a merry christmas replies with 'God bless'

No, they don't.

come on, When I say everyone, I mean it's very common for people say that, I get that at work when I'm talking to people on the phone all the time. (sorry I'm in the States) And I hear a lot of youth say those things. As it's common for people to say God Bless, God Bless You

[Edited 2/7/14 6:49am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

JustErin said:

No, they don't.

come on, When I say everyone, I mean it's very common for people say that, I get that at work when I'm talking to people on the phone all the time. (sorry I'm in the States) And I hear a lot of youth say those things. As it's common for people to say God Bless, God Bless You

[Edited 2/7/14 6:49am]

Common in certain parts of the States. While I've certainly heard it, it's not at all common where I'm from, unless someone just sneezed.

OldFriends4Sale said:

JustErin said:

No, they don't.

come on, When I say everyone, I mean it's very common for people say that, I get that at work when I'm talking to people on the phone all the time. (sorry I'm in the States) And I hear a lot of youth say those things. As it's common for people to say God Bless, God Bless You

[Edited 2/7/14 6:49am]

Just because you hear it in your life bubble doesn't mean it's representative of "everyone".

I never hear it other than the very odd person that says it in response to a sneeze (I've said it when I was younger but stopped because I think its just silly). I've heard it said as "thank you" on tv or a movie or written here on the org.

I have never heard a "youth" say it.

Maybe many Americans say it, but I am not American and it's not my experience that everyone says it - I also know a lot of people who are not Christian.

JustErin said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

come on, When I say everyone, I mean it's very common for people say that, I get that at work when I'm talking to people on the phone all the time. (sorry I'm in the States) And I hear a lot of youth say those things. As it's common for people to say God Bless, God Bless You

[Edited 2/7/14 6:49am]

Just because you hear it in your life bubble doesn't mean it's representative of "everyone".

I never hear it other than the very odd person that says it in response to a sneeze (I've said it when I was younger but stopped because I think its just silly). I've heard it said as "thank you" on tv or a movie or written here on the org.

I have never heard a "youth" say it.

Maybe many Americans say it, but I am not American and it's not my experience that everyone says it - I also know a lot of people who are not Christian.

I SAID I'm not actually talking about EVERYONE, it's general statement, that I hear it all the time, I'm not saying everyone person on the planet says it. I already stated, I'm from the States to indicate that maybe the difference.

.

I called phones and had peoples voice mail end with 'Have a Blessed Day' I know everyone doesn't say it, I mean seriously don't take that to far.

I'm Christian and I don't say it, but everytime I sneaze anyone in the office near me says "God Bless U"

.

I hear youth say it all the time.

.

So like in your same line 'Just because you don't hear it in your life/country bubble doesn't mean it's representative of everyone'

.

We speak from where we come from Right? You asked a question. It's obvious I'm talking from my life experiences

CarrieMpls said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

come on, When I say everyone, I mean it's very common for people say that, I get that at work when I'm talking to people on the phone all the time. (sorry I'm in the States) And I hear a lot of youth say those things. As it's common for people to say God Bless, God Bless You

[Edited 2/7/14 6:49am]

Common in certain parts of the States. While I've certainly heard it, it's not at all common where I'm from, unless someone just sneezed.

I don't want to write a 5 paragraph page explaining that in certain countries on certain continents in certain demographics in the south or north rural suburban or urban, black side of town or Jewish side of town etc etc etc. it's said here or not

.

I know it's not everywhere, I don't say it, but its not uncommon to hear people say it. I hear it a lot of variations of it.

.

Just like PurpleJedi said, people even say it at the end in a very 'more power 2 u' way when replying to a task someone is going to deal with. ie "well if you're going out in that whether, god bless u/more power to u" It's said on tv in movies in regular life.

.

Most of the time it's not in any religious way, it's just a saying. Yeah you will hear it more in certain places than others is a given.

.

I'm only talking from my experiences as every is of their own.

[Edited 2/7/14 9:02am]

OldFriends4Sale said:

JustErin said:

Just because you hear it in your life bubble doesn't mean it's representative of "everyone".

I never hear it other than the very odd person that says it in response to a sneeze (I've said it when I was younger but stopped because I think its just silly). I've heard it said as "thank you" on tv or a movie or written here on the org.

I have never heard a "youth" say it.

Maybe many Americans say it, but I am not American and it's not my experience that everyone says it - I also know a lot of people who are not Christian.

I SAID I'm not actually talking about EVERYONE, it's general statement, that I hear it all the time, I'm not saying everyone person on the planet says it. I already stated, I'm from the States to indicate that maybe the difference.

.

I called phones and had peoples voice mail end with 'Have a Blessed Day' I know everyone doesn't say it, I mean seriously don't take that to far.

I'm Christian and I don't say it, but everytime I sneaze anyone in the office near me says "God Bless U"

.

I hear youth say it all the time.

.

So like in your same line 'Just because you don't hear it in your life/country bubble doesn't mean it's representative of everyone'

.

We speak from where we come from Right? You asked a question. It's obvious I'm talking from my life experiences

Unlike you, I did not make any such claim. Saying that I do not hear it is not the same as saying "no one" says it. Your claim was that EVERYONE says it. I simply said that was false...which you now also agree is a false statement.

JustErin said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I SAID I'm not actually talking about EVERYONE, it's general statement, that I hear it all the time, I'm not saying everyone person on the planet says it. I already stated, I'm from the States to indicate that maybe the difference.

.

I called phones and had peoples voice mail end with 'Have a Blessed Day' I know everyone doesn't say it, I mean seriously don't take that to far.

I'm Christian and I don't say it, but everytime I sneaze anyone in the office near me says "God Bless U"

.

I hear youth say it all the time.

.

So like in your same line 'Just because you don't hear it in your life/country bubble doesn't mean it's representative of everyone'

.

We speak from where we come from Right? You asked a question. It's obvious I'm talking from my life experiences

Unlike you, I did not make any such claim. Saying that I do not hear it is not the same as saying "no one" says it. Your claim was that EVERYONE says it. I simply said that was false...which you now also agree is a false statement.

Ok it's clear your offended, and took this all way out of proportion. Have it your way JustErin

I read your first line and didn't go any further. Be Blessed

One is ok, but if you say it to me again after a second sneeze I will bite your head off.

OldFriends4Sale said:

JustErin said:

Unlike you, I did not make any such claim. Saying that I do not hear it is not the same as saying "no one" says it. Your claim was that EVERYONE says it. I simply said that was false...which you now also agree is a false statement.

Ok it's clear your offended, and took this all way out of proportion. Have it your way JustErin

I read your first line and didn't go any further. Be Blessed

You're mistaken. I am not offended. Just stating facts, bub.