Admittedly, I’m a transplant, but here’s how the Locals usually say it/mean it.

“Bless his heart, he’s dumber than a box of rocks”

Learning2Fly on August 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM

That’s a reflection of the newer or recent times — sarcasm has seeped into our American culture and it seems everyone just has to get a dig in.

But that’s not how the phrase originated or has been used for a long time prior to the recent-sarcastic-times.

I heard the phrase for all of my youth in the South and it was never used like that, in sarcasm, but used to indicate sympathy or empathy, not sarcasm.

The sarcastic twinge or tone and use of speech to communicate a sarcastic point is a recent and unfortunate phenomena.

Question for our southern readership, then, while we wait for the Hammer to chime in: How big an insult is this really? I’ve always understood it to be a gentle, almost pitying, but clearly condescending sort of jab, tantamount to “it’s precious how stupid you are.”

I wish I hadn’t missed the opportunity to comment on this before PAGE FIVE, yikes.

Anyway, my comments as one who grew up in the South, raised by a long lineage of Southerners since before these Colonies had that Revolution of ours:

HOW “bless your heart” or “bless his/her heart” is said contains the answer to the question being asked here (is it meant as sincere caring or is it sarcasm).

It’s being represented on twitter as meaning sarcasm but one needs to consider the source/s of that: sarcastic people view most things in a sarcastic theme.

I grew up hearing “bless your heart” or “bless his/her heart” as a statement indicative of great compassion, caring, understanding, sympathy if that was called for.

I’ve only seen the expression represented as sarcasm very lately in our times but not in the Southern cultural environment from my youth and family and communities of the past.

Romney appears to have used it with a twinge of sarcasm, which is how most WHO AREN’T SOUTHERN use it and also perceive it, as are thus are explained Ace and Twitchy.

As a Southern woman, born and raised, yes, it is a big deal.

Repubtallygirl on August 23, 2012 at 9:54 AM

Another Southern woman (born and raised) here, and I totally agree. I heard this clip on my way to work this morning, and I laughed for 5 minutes straight. I thought it was a completely awesome line, and his delivery of it was perfect!

Now I’m just waiting for someone to start screaming that it was “racist!!!!111!!!” because it’s a Southern saying and the Southerners owned slaves or something…

Admittedly, I’m a transplant, but here’s how the Locals usually say it/mean it.

“Bless his heart, he’s dumber than a box of rocks”

Learning2Fly on August 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM

lol….the very core of this colloquialism….essentially his brain is damaged so we’re asking God to “bless his heart”.

We’re reminded in Matthew:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”

Don’t think that really applies to obummer though.

“Bless his heart, he’s dumber than a box of rocks”

My daddy used to say that you can only fish for so long before you gotta’ throw a stick of dynamite in the water.

We done fishin’ yet?

Terp Mole on August 23, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Your daddy has a way with words. A wonderful way with words. I’m stealing this (my husband is a dedicated fisher-person which makes him amongst the most addicted of all sports persons—even golfers. I can think of a whole lot of situations where this will be appropriate—and ending it with, bless your heart.)

Ephesians 6:10-17 (ESV) The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Perhaps it is the deity that Romney refers to & from whom he implores the blessing that Obama is opposed to?! Just saying…

(but bless your little heart for trying).

It’s basically a way to call people a moron to their face without eliciting a harsh response.

single stack on August 22, 2012 at 10:31 PM

You wrote that wrong, it’s ‘American by birth, Southern by the grace of God’.

slickwillie2001 on August 22, 2012 at 10:57 PM

No, I didn’t. I know the full saying but I modified it for a purpose.
But, bless your heart, you seem to have missed it.

You’re a contestant on Top Chef and Paula Deen is a guest judge. You make deconstructed chicken fried steak because Paula’s there and she says “bless your heart” darlin’. That means ya done good.

TxAnn56 on August 22, 2012 at 9:50 PM

you hit on an important point. When you tell somebody “bless your heart” is different than when you say it to a third party. If the object of the blessing is not there it is an insult.

Happy Nomad on August 22, 2012 at 10:06 PM

And I was very glad to see that explanation, because as a Texan who uses the phrase occasionally, my first instinct was to get all indignant seeing it defined as an insult, because when I use it I generally mean it in an empathetic way (Grandkid: “I have a splinter in my toe!” Me: “Oh bless your heart! No problem, your grandmother has the most gentle tweezers on the planet!”)

But it’s true that I have also used it in the Third Party sense (Neighbor: “My wife used all the hot water and the heating element is burned out!” Me: “Well, bless her heart, let me give you the name of my plumber.”)

Romney saying it to Obama? Strikes just the right chime. Sort of Reaganeque (“There you go again!”)

Bless his/her heart

i.e. Bless your heart you’re a little moron aren’t you?
Bless her heart she’s big as a house…

Its’ kind of the southern equivelant of With all due respect” – nothing respectful EVER follows that phrase…