Language is only a means to communicate. If "lickballs toadcock" was used in the english language to express something societally acceptable, it wouldnt matter what the words "meant" individually... unless society paid specific attention to the double entendre.

On the same note, the word CRINGEWORTHY is a "real" word simply because a person of decent intelligence can tell you what it means. Language is decided by society, not webster. If society understands "god bless you" after a sneeze to mean "i am showing you social consideration" then there is absolutely no religious tones tied to it other than the post-analysis reference to god and the fact that "he" has the power to "bless".

An african tribesman who has had no experience with western civilization (or english) would understand the phrase to mean "i am showing you social consideration" before they would understand it to imply that god has the power to bless.

If youve ever tried to learn a different language, you might notice that their little colloquialisms seem to make no sense. The literal meaning of many phreases is very different from the actual meaning.
OnionsOfLove Reviewed by OnionsOfLove on . hypothetical question for atheists and agnostics you're hanging out with a friend when they sneeze suddenly. What do you say in order to show social consideration? Maybe you don't say "god bless you", because you don't believe in the existence of god, but assuming that you do believe in the existence of other people, and have the manners to acknowledge them, what do you say? Or does the very nature of social curtesy need to be rethought for our post-religious era? Rating: 5