Yeah, and it’s a completely bogus disclaimer, if you think about it. It allows the speaker license (at least they believe it does) to slip in something snotty or ungenerous about the subject in question, the implication being, “I’m a really great person and not given to uncharitable thoughts such as these”!
I thought that “bless her heart” was code for “saying bless her heart hereby negates any good I might have said/thought about her.”
“She means well, bless her heart.” Ring! Clue phone! Speaker means that speaker does not think that person referred to means well at all.
I hope this clears things up.
I think it’s more often used to (supposedly) soften the blow, at least in the south. As in: “She doesn’t have the sense God gave a mule, Bless her heart.” It allows one to say any nasty thing one wants and still appear polite.
I just think it’s an attempt to reverse a negative comment, while you said it’s to “negate any good I might have said/thought about her”. Minor difference, both are probably correct.
Y’all have been a lifeline to me since I signed on, and I know to treasure that.
I know that I am not as articulate or as smart as y’all, but the Dope (and y’all) have been a very nice refuge to come to when I am not holding it together like I oughtta, and I just wanted to say “thank you” for that.
It’s just great to know that y’all are there, and let’s not waste any words, okay?
If I am being an asshole, then just say “Quasi’s being an asshole”, and not “Bless his heart, he’s being an asshole!”
That’s it, except for telling y’all that I love being here, and I appreciate all the help I have gotten to fight my own ignorance!
I am merely pointing out the more subtle uses of the phrase. Consider it a brief glimpse into another world. The chance that it may have been used in the sense that I posited should not be dismissed, ever.
