Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 26, 2025, is the interjection "gesundheit." This word is used to wish good health to someone who has just sneezed. For instance, a coworker might say "gesundheit!" after you sneeze. This practice is a common response to sneezing, alongside "God bless you." The word "gesundheit" was adopted into English from German in the early 20th century. In German, it directly translates to "health," derived from "gesund" meaning "healthy" and the suffix "-heit" signifying "-hood." The custom of wishing good health after a sneeze stems from an old belief that sneezing could be an omen of illness. Offering a blessing or good wishes at this moment was seen as a way to ward off potential sickness. Historically, "gesundheit" was also used as a toast when drinking. However, this particular usage is now rarely encountered.