Dracula sneeze

English

Etymology

Tom Mason (double for Lugosi) in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959); an early example of this depiction.

From a likening of the positioning of the arm during such a sneeze to stereotypical depictions of the fictional vampire Dracula holding one side of his cape over his face, specifically from Bela Lugosi in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) and Tom Mason (double for Lugosi) in Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959).

Noun

Dracula sneeze (plural Dracula sneezes)

1. (informal) The act of sneezing into the crook of one's elbow so as to help prevent the spread of germs.
   • 2009 September 9, Patrick Cowles, “H1N1 plagues campuses”, in The Daily Titan, volume 85, number 4, California State University, Fullerton, page 3:

     Wang also encouraged the use of the "Dracula sneeze," or sneezing into the crease of your elbow as you bring your arm to your face.

   • 2009, Jeremy B. Merrill & Russell M. Page, "Swine Flu Hogs Campus Spotlight", The Claremont Port Side (Claremont Colleges), Volume 7, Issue 1, October 2009, page 7:

     Regarding prevention, the school has begun encouraging sick community members to use the “Dracula sneeze,” sneezing into their elbows to avoid getting germs on their hands and then onto doorknobs and plumbing fixtures.

   • 2011, Phineas Mollod, Jason Tesauro, The Modern Gentleman, 2nd Edition: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy, and Vice, Ten Speed Press, →ISBN, page 177:

     Use a closed fist or assume the Dracula sneeze pose to temper germ transmission.

Translations

sneezing

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 對著胳膊打噴嚏 / 对著胳膊打喷嚏, 对着胳膊打喷嚏 (duìzhe gēbo dǎ pēntì)

• Dutch: elleboogniezen n
• Finnish: kyynärtaipeeseen aivastaminen, kyynärpäähän aivastaminen