The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MOST PEOPLE SAY "GOD BLESS YOU" TO A PERSON WHO HAS JUST
SNEEZED BASED ON A BELIEF THAT THE DEVIL WILL ENTER
YOUR BODY UNLESS THIS PHRASE IS SAID AT THAT TIME.
ALSO, YOUR HEART IS SUPPOSED TO STOP BEATING INSTANT-TANEOUSLY AFTER A SNEEZE, AND THIS PHRASE IS ALSO
SAID TO KEEP YOUR HEART BEATING.

Submitter comment: I DON'T ACTUALLY BELIEVE THE BASIS FOR THE USE OF
THIS PHRASE.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN