Quote:
Originally Posted by MS Fowler
"Blessed" has no reference to superstition.
It does derive from "happy".
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From my dictionary:
adjective
1 made holy; consecrated.
• a title preceding the name of a dead person considered to have led a holy life, esp. a person formally beatified by the Roman Catholic Church : the Convent of the Blessed Agnes.
• used respectfully in reference to a dead person : a gracious lady of blessed memory.
• endowed with divine favor and protection : blessed are the meek.
• bringing pleasure or relief as a welcome contrast to what one has previously experienced : he half stumbled out of the room up to his bed and blessed, blessed sleep.
• ( blessed with) endowed with (a particular quality or attribute) : a beautiful city, steeped in history and blessed with huge sandy beaches.
2 informal used in mild expressions of annoyance or exasperation : there wasn't a blessed thing anybody could have done
That's about as superstitions as it gets.