Bless It!
In Southern and Appalachian speech, bless it is a mild exclamation used to express frustration, surprise, or sympathy. It can be sharp and annoyed, or slow and gentle like a sigh.
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Hillbilly Dude Says...
Yep - I've heard bless it my whole life, used either like 'dang it' or similar to 'bless your heart.' Hillbilly Dude Says...
Yep - I've heard bless it my whole life, used either like 'dang it' or similar to 'bless your heart.' Pronunciation
[BLESS it]
/blɛs ɪt/
/blɛs ɪt/
Meaning & Usage
- Mild oath of frustration or surprise (exclamation)
June:
The biscuits burned!
The biscuits burned!
Pearl:
Bless it!
Bless it!- Sympathetic sigh expressing pity or concern (exclamation)
Mae:
Her car broke down again.
Her car broke down again.
Earl:
Aaaahh" bless it"
Aaaahh" bless it"
Ruby:
That puppy looks soaked through.
That puppy looks soaked through.
Nell:
Oh, bless it, bring ’im inside.
Oh, bless it, bring ’im inside.variations: bless it all, well bless it, oh bless it
★ The soft version ("Aaaahh, bless it"") is close to "bless your heart," but it’s aimed at the situation, not the person. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older religious English expressions invoking a blessing. In Southern and Appalachian speech, it softened into a polite, non-swearing exclamation used for irritation or gentle sympathy.
Usage Notes
Common among older and rural speakers. The frustrated version is quick and clipped; the sympathetic version is slow, drawn-out, and gentle. Both are widely understood across the South.
Say It Like a Southerner
Two styles: a quick exclamation ("Bless it!") or a slow, sympathetic version ("Aaaahh, bless it"").
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 5). Bless It!. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bless-it
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Bless It!." HillbillySlang.com, 5 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bless-it.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Bless It!." HillbillySlang.com. December 5, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/bless-it.
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