2007-04-12 14:42:02 · 22 answers · asked by Astrid Beau Bega Belda Calixte 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I guess it depends on who says it & how or why it's said.
2007-04-12 14:47:26 · answer #1 · answered by mstrywmn 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
This is an old southern saying meaning just that. The south is based on a form of etiquette where you cannot say such words to another, so instead you say, "oh, bless your heart!"
However, I am not surprised to hear others responding that your mother does not know what she is talking about. My husband comes from a southern family, and have been told this saying and its true meaning by them. You're mother is not wrong, but it may not be as commonly used or passed on as much. I guess if a northerner says it, it probably just means, bless your heart. In the south, its a polite putdown.
2007-04-12 17:05:13 · answer #2 · answered by Krissi 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is used toward someone who generally means well but doesn't do things right. They try hard and people say bless her heart. Like bless her heart but her turkey was dry. Like someone who just gives their all but falls short.
2007-04-12 16:47:05 · answer #3 · answered by noone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it really applies to the way it is said - Down south we will use it when someone is telling us a story and it isn't going their way - say, the car breaks down and it is just a stressfull event, we will say, "oh dear - well bless your heart" like we are sorry and hope it will start to go better for them.
2007-04-13 03:38:34 · answer #4 · answered by abby 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on who's using it. Down here it's what we say when we think someone is a loser or really does have it rough. Instead of, "Man, that sucks that your good leg just got severed," we say, "Well bless your heart!"
2007-04-12 15:43:27 · answer #5 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it means "Bless your heart you sweet person." Other times it means "I think very little of you but I'm trying to maintain my composure." or "You're an idiot." It's used a lot in the South where a proper lady would never say the dreadful things she thinks of others to their face.
2007-04-12 15:10:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes it means "What a strange person you are..."
But it NEVER means "F... You".
2007-04-12 15:12:52 · answer #7 · answered by Trying to protect my emails 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is an expression of healing and comfort. When someone is heartbroken you say "Bless your heart." and the blessing will make the pain go away.
Or in today's society it could be a command to give your circulatory system God-like powers to rid the Bic Mac in your arteries.
2007-04-12 15:02:25 · answer #8 · answered by Fatboy 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Your MOTHER said that to you? Man. Someone needs their mouth washed out with soap.
Bless your heart means just that, it's usually a way of saying "you're sweet" or something.
Your poor mother. She needs some sweetin' up herself!
2007-04-12 16:27:45 · answer #9 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm from the south and Grandma used to say it to me to show sympathy and love.
How sad you people are who use it to hurt or insult someone.
2015-10-25 13:00:22 · answer #10 · answered by taktik 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's an older woman who is a churchgoing person, it really means.. DDAAAAAYYYUUUMMM!!
They just don't want to actually say it out loud.
That or it means 'Awww that's alright baby, you're trying... not well though'
2007-04-12 14:50:32 · answer #11 · answered by jmintecu 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋