BTW, I was glad to see Dad say “Gesundheit.” I grew up with that, but when I moved out east, every time I said it people looked at me funny. “Bless you,” is all that works out here.
Once when I sneezed on a bus, a woman said, “God bless you”. I said “Which one?”. She didn’t understand me, so I said, “well, you know, there’s Zeus, and Thor, Demeter, Juno, and all those. When You’re a polytheist, these decisions take time.”
Markstein spent a lot of time working at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. In Milwaukee, there’s a lot of German in the local idiom. That, and “bubblers”.
cdward about 14 years ago
Into the crook of your elbow, Elliott, into the crook of your elbow.
cdward about 14 years ago
BTW, I was glad to see Dad say “Gesundheit.” I grew up with that, but when I moved out east, every time I said it people looked at me funny. “Bless you,” is all that works out here.
runar about 14 years ago
Once when I sneezed on a bus, a woman said, “God bless you”. I said “Which one?”. She didn’t understand me, so I said, “well, you know, there’s Zeus, and Thor, Demeter, Juno, and all those. When You’re a polytheist, these decisions take time.”
Markstein spent a lot of time working at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. In Milwaukee, there’s a lot of German in the local idiom. That, and “bubblers”.
FunkyMunkey1 about 14 years ago
Go watch Dane Cook’s talk about when someone sneezed on him. It’s on youtube. HI-LAR-I-OUS!!!
runar about 14 years ago
Forcing your religion on me again, JA”J”D.
CoLes303 about 14 years ago
Wow I’ve had sneezes like that, I can usually breathe better too once I’m done!
Coyoty Premium Member about 14 years ago
When someone sneezes I like to say a nonsense word and hear them say “Thank you” anyway.
rotts about 14 years ago
Yes, “gesundheit” means “health”, or “state of health”; but when used to respond to a sneeze, it’s an idiom that means “to your health”.
But not like the toast, “a votre sante” (to your health) in French.