What the heck does "godspeed" mean?

[KurtNYC]

as in "Godspeed John Glenn." I have a very literal mind which may be keeping me from "getting it" on this word.

The general Judeo Christian concept of God is an infinite and immortal force. I have to think the concept of time almost doesn't apply to such a being. Or at the very least it is at wide variance with our concept of time. "Fast" for such an entity could mean 2 miles per hour or it could be 20x the speed of light.

So if God really did "speed" John Glenn then John Glenn might either 1) not live enough years to return from space or 2) be killed by the g-forces created when God moves his craft at 20x the SOL.

When I hear that word I am always reminded of the joke that goes:

> A boy prays beside his bed one night and hears God answer so he begins a dialog...

Boy: God? What is time like for you?
God: Well, I'm infinite so a second for me would last 1,000 years for you.

Boy: Wow. That's wild. And what about money, what is money like to you?
God: I created Heaven and Earth... a million dollars for you is less than a penny to me.

The boy thinks for a moment then gets up the courage to ask one last thing....

Boy: Um God? Can I have a million dollars?
God: Of course! I'll give it to you in just a second.

[ComerPerro]

1. good joke

[ghostsofgiants]

2. Main Entry: God·speed

Pronunciation: -'spEd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English god speid, from the phrase God spede you God prosper you
: a prosperous journey : SUCCESS <bade him Godspeed>

Amusing joke, haha.

[datasuspect]

3. "good speed"

dexedrine, benzedrine, or any other "clean" pharmaceutical amphetamine.

[cwydro]

4. I wondered too

they always say it to the shuttle crews....seems to be a space thingie...