What does God Speed mean to Christians ?

**Spetulhu** · 12-29-2004, 12:18

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** · 12-31-2004, 11:46

I think Redleg's got the best definition.

**7Bear7Scar** · 12-31-2004, 15:21

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** · 12-31-2004, 16:08

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Ahh, great info 7Bear7Scar.

Many thanks.

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**MrWhipple** · 01-02-2005, 13:28

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** · 01-02-2005, 15:52

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** · 01-02-2005, 18:09

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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).

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** · 01-02-2005, 18:33

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks Scar