Date:  Wed, 29 Mar 1995 15:13:09 -0500

From:  jeffrey howard allen <jhallen[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UCS.INDIANA.EDU>

Subject: Re: Gesundheit!



I agree with Peter's comment below. I have always heard Gesundheit more

frequently than bless you in Oregon. The people who I know, including my

family, are not of German descent.



Jeff





---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 09:13:33 -0800

From: Peter McGraw <pmcgraw[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CALVIN.LINFIELD.EDU>

To: Multiple recipients of list ADS-L <ADS-L[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]UGA.BITNET>

Subject: Re: Gesundheit!



The use of "Gesundheit" is certainly not restricted to those with German

ancestry or even to areas with a large population of German descent

(like Cincinnati). It has always been current in my family: my mother is of

English descent and grew up in Texas and Oklahoma, and my father, of Irish

descent, grew up in Iowa. Growing up in California and Oregon, I remember

"Gesundheit" as predominant, with "Bless you!" not unheard of, and I

never noticed any difference later in Wisconsin, Tennessee or Ohio.



Peter McGraw