Bless your heart

"Bless your heart" is a phrase common to the Southern United States.[1][2] The phrase has multiple meanings and is used to express genuine sympathy but sometimes as an insult that conveys condescension, derision, or contempt. It may also be spoken as a precursor to an insult to mitigate its severity. Meanings range from sincerity to exasperation,[3] and are primarily imparted through context and tone.[4] While common in the South, it is primarily used by individuals who wish to "be sweet” and do not wish to "act ugly."[1][5]

For the album by the Allman Betts Band, see Bless Your Heart (album). For the song by Freddie Hart, see Bless Your Heart (song).
Look up bless your heart in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Notable examples

In 2016, Nikki Haley, then governor of South Carolina, received extensive press coverage for saying the phrase in response to an attack by presidential candidate Donald Trump.[6][7][8]

Speaking about ex-husband Ben Affleck's large back tattoo of a rising phoenix, Jennifer Garner said, "You know what we would say in my hometown about that? 'Bless his heart.'"[9]

See also

References
  1. Dyer, Candace (November 1, 2012). "Your Southern Decoder". Atlanta Magazine. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  2. Fambro, Cassie (November 2, 2013). "'Bless your heart' and 14 other southern sayings yankees just don't understand". AL.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  3. "30 Phrases Only Southerners Use". Southern Living. July 3, 2023. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  4. "How To Respond To "Bless Your Heart"". Southern Living. November 21, 2022. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  5. Norling, Hannah (July 22, 2015). "The Northern Southerner: Bless My Heart?". Southern Living. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. Engel, Pamela (March 1, 2016). "Nikki Haley dismisses Donald Trump". Business Insider. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  7. Krieg, Gregory (March 1, 2016). "Nikki Haley response to Trump attack: 'Bless your heart'". CNN. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  8. Gass, Nick (March 2016). "Nikki Haley to Donald Trump: 'Bless your heart'". Politico.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
  9. Smith, Krista (February 26, 2016). "Exclusive: Jennifer Garner's Frank Talk About Kids, Men, and Ben Affleck". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
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