Bless It!
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Bless It" is a gentle oath meaning "blast it" or "darn it," used when something goes wrong or surprises you.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Southern #Exclamations #Euphemisms
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Yep - I've heard 'bless it!' plenty around here growin' up, and still do. Hillbilly Dude Says...
Yep - I've heard 'bless it!' plenty around here growin' up, and still do. Pronunciation
[BLESS it] /blɛs ɪt/
Meaning & Usage
- Mild oath expressing frustration, surprise, or annoyance (exclamation)
June:
The biscuits burned!
The biscuits burned!
Pearl:
Bless it!
Bless it!variations: Bless It All
★ "Bless it" is part of a long Southern/Appalachian tradition of softening oaths to keep them polite and "church-safe." Similar patterns include "bless your heart" and "land sakes." ★
Origin and Etymology
Derived from older English religious language ("bless it" literally invoking blessing) but repurposed by Southerners as a polite expletive. It’s a way of venting without swearing.
Usage Notes
Still heard in rural and small-town Southern/Appalachian speech. Outside the region, people recognize "bless" literally but may not realize it’s being used as a stand-in for a stronger word.
Say It Like a Southerner
Say it natural: often "Well bless it!" or "Oh bless it!" with a soft drawl; sometimes "Bless it all" for extra emphasis.
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