<p>There’s a sorry-for-her vibe as I hear the phrase. It’s snarky, but not something you’d say about a vicious person. It’s what you’d say about someone pitiable who’s making a fruitless effort beyond her abilities: bless her heart for trying. So it’s mean in the sense that it’s condescending, but not in the sense that you hate the person and wish her ill. Often used by an in-crowd in reference to awkward people.</p>
<p>That’s the best explanation I’ve heard thus far, Hanna. </p>
<p>Agree with Hanna also. And Sally’s explanation matches what I think too, "maybe it’s kind of like another (northern?) expression I dislike…“just sayin’.” Somehow it absolves people of responsibility for hurting someone’s feelings when they state a “fact.” "Her butt does look a little fat in those leggings…just sayin’.“It’s often said with a shrug, as if it’s a truth everyone else recognizes but few are willing to acknowledge outright.”</p>
<p>Definitely it is used in a nice way too. It’s not that difficult to tell what someone means by it.</p>
<p>Definitely NOT always bad, but yes, sometimes used along with a criticism. Often used a true expression of sympathy as in “Ooh, that poor little figure skater has fallen twice already. Bless her heart!!!”.</p>
<p>I hadn’t heard it until I moved to Georgia. But when someone down here says it about someone that’s not there it usually means they are clueless. Instead up north someone might say “Well he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.”</p>
<p>omg, thanks for the huge belly laugh @hunt. “I hear Little Floyd is tryin’ to get into med school.” “Well, bless his heart.” </p>
<p>Well, my friends and I from the north got wind of the expression and use it with each other when we are being “not nice” about someone else. Clearly based on @Hanna 's definition, we are using it all wrong bc I sort of do wish ill will on this woman. Just kidding, but she’s not my favorite (as my mom would say). And yes, “just sayin”… .same as “bless her heart.”</p>
<p>Oh yeah - it’s meant sarcastically sometimes. I imagine most people can tell the difference given the context. </p>
<p>Henry Cho (Korean comedian) “bless your heart” comedy cracks me up.</p>