Etymology Map
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Gesundheit

2 stages from German to English.

Today it means said to someone who has sneezed

Where does the word "gesundheit" come from? It comes from German Gesundheit, adopted directly into English (1910s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Gesundheit
German · medieval
"health"
health, from 'gesund', healthy
2
Stage 2 of 2
gesundheit
American English · 1910s
"bless you"
German immigrants brought the blessing to the United States
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Read the full story

Gesundheit’s story begins in German: Gesundheit meant “health.” Health, from 'gesund', healthy. It reached English by 1910s as gesundheit. German immigrants brought the blessing to the United States. Today, gesundheit means said to someone who has sneezed.