What does God Speed mean to Christians ?

[Shahed]

Hi All !

Quick question: what does God Speed mean to Christians ?

Sorry if it's dumb but hey you think you are smart ??? :balloon2:

[TonyJ]

What does it matter what it means to Christians ?

Surely what matters is the actual meaning of the quote, no ? If it means something it means the same to everyone.

Personally I think it's rather a nice way to wish someone all the very best of luck and support and I don't believe in the man anyway ~:)

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Hmmm, this is a bit iffy, but I'll let it stay as long as there's no religion bashing.

[BDC]

I think it means something along the lines of 'good luck' to a ship or sailer.

It's kind of tradition isn't it? I'm sure non-Christians here would say it anyway.

[Shahed]

Hmmm, this is a bit iffy, but I'll let it stay as long as there's no religion bashing.

Yes please no religious bashing... just asking the meaning of the phrase.

[Redleg]

I think it means something along the lines of 'good luck' to a ship or sailer.

It's kind of tradition isn't it? I'm sure non-Christians here would say it anyway.


God Speed means a quick and safe journey under God's watchful eye, be it by foot, ship, horse, etc..

[Shahed]

Thanks.

[Byzantine Prince]

When you "God Speed" to someone it means you hope they get to their destination with God's speed. So they get there really fast like GOd would if he used his ultra fast speed.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

"God Speed" - this commander appears to fly - or walk - as if he is being carried by a heavenly host. +200% Movement Points ~D

[Efrem]

Non christians don't say it.

[Sjakihata]

Non christians don't say it.

sure they do, just like they say "oh my God" as well.

[Efrem]

They say Oh My God, but I have never heard a non christian say god speed. Or a christian either for that matter, maybe its just not an Aussie thing to do.

[BDC]

They say Oh My God, but I have never heard a non christian say god speed. Or a christian either for that matter, maybe its just not an Aussie thing to do.
I think you only really say it to the captain of a ship or when launching one... Which doesn't happen too often.

I want a yacht. How do you spell that?

[English assassin]

I want a yacht. How do you spell that?

E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E

Plus I think Santa's going to have a hard time getting it down the chimney.

~D

[Byzantine Prince]

Santa's dead.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Byzantine Prince-"Santa is dead."

Santa-"Byzantine Prince is dead."

~D

[Byzantine Prince]

LOl,

God - "Byzantine Prince ownz Santa ass"

[Goofball]

I think you only really say it to the captain of a ship or when launching one... Which doesn't happen too often.

I want a yacht. How do you spell that?
yacht (yät) n.

1. Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels, generally with smart graceful lines, used for pleasure cruises or racing.

2. A large hole in the water into which one throws large amounts of money.

[Devastatin Dave]

Non-Christians say it as well. Redleg gave the best definition of the meaning. But maybe we're all wrong, maybe its God's choice of drug!!!

[TheSilverKnight]

Non-Christians say it as well. Redleg gave the best definition of the meaning. But maybe we're all wrong, maybe its God's choice of drug!!!

LOL!! ~D Good one Devastatin Dave

[BDC]

Non-Christians say it as well. Redleg gave the best definition of the meaning. But maybe we're all wrong, maybe its God's choice of drug!!!
lmao!

Perfect. :D

[Medieval Assassin]

I think it justs means good luck.

www.dictionary.com

Says it just means "With great swiftness"

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Personally, I know what it means from the "pirate jargon" but I wonder what lies behind it. Anyone knows?

Btw, please backroom addicts, leave this thread alone!
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[Spetulhu]

I've never seen it used except in books. Books with medieval themes. Sure sounds like something a TV priest would say to people, though.

[Shahed]

I think Redleg's got the best definition.

[7Bear7Scar]

The word Godspeed is used to wish a person good fortune or success, as on starting a journey, a new business, etc. It is usually found in expressions of the sort "to bid (a person) Godspeed."

Godspeed is a nominalization of the phrase God speed (you), understanding which depends on two things: speed in this sense means 'to prosper; succeed', which is now archaic, but which is the original sense of the word; and the verb is subjunctive, expressing a wish, with the entire phrase meaning "may God cause you to succeed."

The word Godspeed (which can also be written God-speed) is from Middle English, first found in personal names in the thirteenth century.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Ahh, great info 7Bear7Scar. ~:) Many thanks.

:medievalcheers:
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[MrWhipple]

From my experience with the SCA, a midevil reinactmnet group, it is simply a shortned version of "may God speed (watch over, protect) you on your way.

[Shahed]

Muslims in the Balkans (perhaps Turkey also ?) say a phrase which essentially means the same thing: Allah -e- Imanet which is said when you leave someone (as in bye). The literal meaning is a bit different but the idea is the same -> God protect and watch over you.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Precisely "Allah'a emânet ol" (to whom that leaves or stays) or "Allah'a emânet" (for something that is cared/feared for). :bow:

Linguistics stuff below:

The second one includes an untold "olsun" or "ola" at the end, which is the third person imperative or optative of the verb "ol-" ("be") respectively. Therefore, the first statement is directed to the second person while the latter is concerned for an absent third person.
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[Shahed]

Brilliant. That's the perfect explanation. Thanks for that Mouz.
I thought it was Turkish ~;)

[Shahed]

The word Godspeed is used to wish a person good fortune or success, as on starting a journey, a new business, etc. It is usually found in expressions of the sort "to bid (a person) Godspeed."

Godspeed is a nominalization of the phrase God speed (you), understanding which depends on two things: speed in this sense means 'to prosper; succeed', which is now archaic, but which is the original sense of the word; and the verb is subjunctive, expressing a wish, with the entire phrase meaning "may God cause you to succeed."

The word Godspeed (which can also be written God-speed) is from Middle English, first found in personal names in the thirteenth century.

Thanks Scar ~:)

[Tribesman]

May the wind be at your back , another version for both land and sea .
God speed was also used for Pilgrims following pilgrimage routes , the roads and waystations were maintained by the church so god (through the church) could speed his worshipers on their journey .

[Shahed]

Wow, never knew there was so much behind it.