The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SNEEZING LORE

SAY BRAHMA OR GOD BLESS YOU AFTER ONE SNEEZES TO GIVE GOD'S GRACE
FOR GOOD HEALTH.
SAY SHAHADIH AFTER ONE SAYS OR THINKS UP SOMETHING ABOUT SOME
PERSON, PLACE, OR THING WHEN ONE SNEEZES. THEN IT IS TRUE ABOUT
IT. E.G. I SAY WE WILL BE RICH ONE DAY, THEN A PERSON SNEEZES.
THEN IT WILL BE TRUE. IT IS LIKE A CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION.
BRAHMA MEANS GOD BLESS YOU, AND SHAHADIH MEANS IT IS CERTIFICATION
TO THE TRUTH. BOTH ARE CHALDEAN WORDS OR DIALECT.
I ONCE READ IN A DOCTOR'S COLUMN THAT IF ONE SNEEZES, ONE WILL
LOSE 15 SECONDS OF ONE'S LIFE. IT IS ACCREDITTED TO BIOLOGICAL
REASONS.

Submitter comment: I PICKED THIS LORE UP MOSTLY FROM HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRANKLIN VILLAGE

Date learned: 00001960S