Meanings & Origins

Why do people say “bless you” when someone sneezes? What does “bless your heart” really mean in the American South? These articles explain where common blessing phrases come from and how their meaning changes with tone, place, and tradition, including the Jewish expression “May her memory be a blessing.”

A wooden rocking chair on a Southern porch under a sign that reads Bless Your Heart

What Does Bless Your Heart Mean

“Bless your heart” means “I feel for you” or “I care about you.” The Britannica Dictionary says “bless his heart”