Where does the phrase "God bless you" come from?
364841
the term might have come about earlier.. but mostly started being used as it is today around the reformation era, (Martin Luther, John Calvin.) the followers of these denominations believed strongly in "evils" and possession/demons, (early on, not so much today). They believed when you sneezed it was an opening of your soul and body, (which made you weak) this might let "bad" spirits in. So they began to say God bless you, as a way to save the person sneezing from evils. This also explains why the saying exists in many of the areas where "reformed" peoples settled, Germany, England, us, and not in other regions of the world, (Asians do not remark at all, in fact sneezing is offensive.)
160915
"God Help Them who Help Themself"\n\n     For me, this means that people that are lost in life or are always alone are helped by God by giving them faith, hope and love.
868300
Hi - I can't speak for all Christians, but if my car were stuck in the mud, and you came along and offered to help me out of the mud, I really don't think I'd care what belief system you have.  \n\nAs for the 'God Bless' - I might say that to you, simply because it is how I speak.  If you sneezed, I'd say 'God bless you' - but I would not say it to be offensive to you.  Some Christians say it as a matter of course.  If you truly do not believe in God, translate it in your mind to thank you.\n\nBy the way, thank you.  I am anti-abortion and anti-death penalty.
614043
CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS - "This ancient proverb is said by some to have come from ancient Hebrew writings. However, its first appearance in English - though in slightly altered form - seems to be in the writings of Francis Bacon. In his 'Advancement of Learning' (1605) he wrote: 'Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God.' Near two centuries later John Wesley in one of his sermons (1791) indicated that the proverb was already well known in the form we use today. Wrote Wesley: 'Slovenliness is no part of religion.'Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness.'" From "Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins" by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988). There are a couple more details in "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996): ".According to the fourteenth edition of 'Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,' it is an old Hebrew proverb used in the late 2nd century by Rabbi Phinehas ben-Yair. First attested in the United States in the 'Monthly Anthology and Boston Review' (1806). The proverb is found in varying forms."
841395
God blesses everyone,  He does not play favorites.\n\nAny other idea is someones silly little dream of superiority.\n\nLove and blessings Don
552568
thank you and god bless.
909327
"garantujeme původ" means "we guarantee origin" ... probably would loosely translate to "we know when it came from"
1136480
It is used now in many places. In songs and everywhere. I think that this line came from a "tall dark handsome stranger".\n"tall dark handsome stranger" came from language\nlanguage came from man\nman came from God\nSo ultimately God made this line = "tall dark handsome stranger".
338880
what an interpretation! God Bless you!!
641764
It is a Muslim greeting with dual meaning "May God grant you peace"\nHow do you do?  good day to you?\nthere is no definitive answer it all depends on the situation at which it is said...\n\n In what situation was the question asked?
655186
Common among these explanations are: \n\n\nAt one time people believed a man's soul could be inadvertently thrust from his body by an explosive sneeze, thus "Bless you!" was a protective oath uttered to safeguard the temporarily expelled and vulnerable soul from being snatched up by Satan (who was always lurking nearby). The purpose of the oath was to cast a temporary shield over the flung-out soul which would protect it just long enough to regain the protection of the corporeal body. \n\nConversely, the sneeze itself was the expulsion of a demon or evil spirit which had taken up residence in a person. Therefore, although the "Bless you!" was again a protective charm meant to protect the sneezer from evil, in this version it was meant to ward off the re-entry of an evil spirit which a tormented soul had just rid itself of. \n\nThe heart was believed to momentarily stop during a sneeze (it doesn't), thus the "Bless you!" was uttered either as a supplication for life to return or as a congratulation upon its successful restart. \n\nOthers claim an association of the practice with particular dire diseases (most often the bubonic plague, or "Black Death," as it is sometimes known). They say an infected person's sneeze was sure sign he'd soon be pushing up daisies, thus the "Bless you!" was intended as a benediction to the nearly-departed, a way of commending his soul to the care of God now that he was beyond the help of anything in the mortal world. \n\nYet other folks echo the theme of other superstitions about sneezes, that these expulsions are either in themselves lucky or foretell good fortune coming the sneezer's way. For them, the "Bless you!" is a recognition of incoming good luck, possibly even an attempt on the blesser's part to attract a bit of it to himself. \n\nFinally, some see the sneeze as a blessing bestowed by the sneezer upon the sneezed-upon. Answering a sneeze with "Bless you!" is seen as nothing more remarkable than replying "Good morning!" to the person who had just greeted you with the same phrase. \nSo many explanations -- each deeply believed -- for such a simple and often unquestioned practice. And we'll never know which one is right.
538802
in the old days, when you sneezed " your soul came out" people were afraid that the devil would grab your soul, and take you to hell. So they said bless you which basically tells God to bless you by giving you your soul back\n\n\nP.S. please give me the points beacuse i swear that i'm not lying
699282
Great point! In fact, if America is such a God-Loving country, which I believe it is, why not say "God bless the world" considering the world is the most un-Godly place of all, not America. I think you just changed the way Im going to speak for now on, thanks!
887438
Blessings - good things that you have.  Things you have been blessed with.\n\nTO all those happy blessings which ye haue,\nwith plenteous hand by heauen vpon you thrown:\nthis one disparagement they to you gaue,\nthat ye your loue lent to so meane a one.\nYee whose high worths surpassing paragon,\ncould not on earth haue found one fit for mate,\nne but in heauen matchable to none,\nwhy did ye stoup vnto so lowly state.\nBut ye thereby much greater glory gate,\nthen had ye sorted with a princes pere:\nfor now your light doth more it selfe dilate,\nand in my darknesse greater doth appeare.\nYet since your light hath once enlumind me,\nwith my reflex yours shall encreased be.
112359
It's short for "May God speed you on your journey."  Good-bye is also a shortening, some even say corruption, of "God be with you."
541992
As a Blessing from God\n\nfor your\n\nFaithful Observance of the Law
793676
Sorry you've had such rubbish answers. \n\nI'm usually quite good at this sort of thing, but I'm afraid I can't find any info on the origins of this phrase.\n\nI hope someone more knowledgeable answers you soon!