英
语冷知识1分钟：Why do we say "bless you" when someone sneezes? If you hear someone sneeze, chances are you've been conditioned to instinctively say "bless you." But have you ever stopped to wonder where this phrase actually comes from? There are actually a few theories as to the origin of this custom. One theory traces the origins back to ancient times, when it was believed that sneezing could cause someone's soul to leave their body, leaving them vulnerable to evil spirits. Saying "bless you" was a way to ward off these spirits and protect the sneezer. Another theory points to the Black Death, a pandemic that ravaged Europe in the 14th century. Because sneezing was one of the first signs of the disease, people began saying "God bless you" in hopes of keeping the sneezer safe from the deadly illness. Regardless of its historical roots, the custom of saying "bless you" has endured in many cultures and is now considered polite and customary in most English-speaking countries. It is also interesting to note that in some languages, such as German and Russian, people say "health" instead of "bless you" after a sneeze. So the next time someone sneezes, you can impress them with your newfound knowledge of the history of this age-old custom.
