Blessings

Grandpa: “Here comes Luther riding that old swayback mule he let Zeke talk him into buying.”
Grandma: “Bless his heart.”

Just an innocuous conversation on a lazy, summer afternoon between a couple passing the time on their front porch rocking chairs? Maybe not as sympathetic as it sounds. Actually, grandma just called Luther “stupid” for making the deal with Zeke. Most old-time southerners would know what she meant and had Luther heard this little conversation, he would have known what grandma meant and the mule would probably have known it too. But Luther would probably have stopped and talked about the weather or such for a minute and then gone on his way without having his feelings hurt too much. Now, if a stranger had done something foolish, grandma would have said in plain words that he was stupid, but probably not when he could hear her. This is a way the south differs from the rest of the country. Had a non-southerner heard her say it, he would have thought she was feeling sorry for poor old Luther for making a bad purchase of the mule. If grandma had said “Well bless his heart”, adding the word “well” would have made a difference; she would be sympathetic. If you are not from the south but are planning to travel the back roads here, be aware that language can have a different meaning for the native people than what you think you heard; our South is a world unto its own.

Have a great weekend!