Lord Love Him
In Southern and Appalachian English, "Lord love him" is an affectionate or pitying exclamation, like "bless his heart," expressing sympathy, indulgence, or fond exasperation.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #PeopleandRelationships #Nature #Southern #Euphemisms
synonyms: bless his heart, poor thing, Lord bless him
Hillbilly Dude Says...
When Jimmy knocked over the tea pitcher, Granny just sighed, "Lord love him," meaning she pitied him more than she was mad. Hillbilly Dude Says...
When Jimmy knocked over the tea pitcher, Granny just sighed, "Lord love him," meaning she pitied him more than she was mad. Pronunciation
[LORD luv ’im]
/lɔːrd lʌv ɪm/
/lɔːrd lʌv ɪm/
Meaning & Usage
- Exclamation of pity, affection, or indulgence (saying/interjection)
Earl:
He tried to fix the fence and fell in the creek.
He tried to fix the fence and fell in the creek.
Troy:
Lord love him - he means well.
Lord love him - he means well.variations: Lord love you, Lord love her, Lord love that child
★ Like "bless his heart," "Lord love him" can be sincere, affectionate, or gently exasperated depending on tone. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older British and Irish religious exclamations ("Lord love you") brought to Appalachia by Scots-Irish settlers. Documented in Southern/Appalachian oral speech since at least the 19th century.
Usage Notes
- Commonly used across Appalachia and the rural South; rarely heard in mainstream speech outside these regions except in historical fiction.
- Often directed at children or someone hapless: "Lord love that boy."
- Tag under sayings, Southern/Appalachian, and Dialect and Grammar for its distinctive interjection style.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 28). Lord Love Him. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/lord-love-him
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Lord Love Him." HillbillySlang.com, 28 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/lord-love-him.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Lord Love Him." HillbillySlang.com. September 28, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/lord-love-him.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...