1. This is a term used by the people of the southern United States particularly near the Gulf of Mexico to express to someone that they are an idiot without saying such harsh words.

2. "You are an idiot but I like you and care about you so I dont want to hurt your feelings."

"You dumb b*tch."

Don't think this is a compliment, because it isn't. An insult commonly used in the south.

The Most Southern Baptist Christian way to cuss the daylight savings outta someone without being inflammatory even know if you want 2

Aren’t you an idiot

As a southerner that has been in war torn countries and seen children suffering, "Bless your heart" has it's true meaning. "Bless your heart" is a is a statement of empathy. Most Southerners shed a tear when they speak those words. True, at times they are offered for fools, such as those who can't understand the true meaning of the words. More's the pity! Bless your heart!

A loving & empathetic expression conveying sympathy toward ones action or behavior. The obvious / better choice or action was not taken.

The southern way to say just about anything.

It can mean what an idiot, poor guy, awe that's so cute, etc.

Below are the meanings of "bless your heart" from an Alabama born and raised southerner.

1. If someone has just lost a loved one, we say bless your heart to mean sympathy.

2. If a child falls down and skins their knee or someone tells you a sad story about a family member, we say bless your heart to mean we are sincerely sorry something bad happened.
3. If a southerner looks at you with a sardonic smile and says bless your heart, it usually means she thinks you're an idiot or your opinion is stupid.
4. If we look you straight in the face and say bless your heart and walk away or hang up, it generally means go screw yourself. This meaning also applies if bless your heart is used after an insult of some kind whether veiled or not.
5. Bless your heart can also be used to indicate surprise and happiness. For example, if someone tells you they won the lottery, we might say, "Bless your heart! That's fantastic!"
6. Another example is when we talk to each other about anything generally negative but not at all meant to be insulting. For example, "I know she spent all day in the kitchen and tried her very best, but bless her heart, what she served for the dinner party was just awful."

Hope this helps y'all!