Gesundheit
/ɡəˈzʊn.taɪt/noun
A German expression used to wish someone good health after sneezing.
Did you know?In medieval times, sneezing was thought to expel evil spirits, and saying 'Gesundheit' was a way to protect the sneezer from harm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gudō
“health or soundness.”
Old High German
OHG
gisunt
“healthy; sound.”
Middle High German
MHG
gesund
“in good health.”
Modern German
German
Gesundheit
“the state of being healthy.”
20th Century
English
Gesundheit
“adopted as an expression to wish good health.”