I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.
Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.
“ bless your heart”
That one just seems meaningless.
In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”
Where I’m from it’s a nice thing to say, sort of like saying thank you. It’s basically the same as saying “god bless you”. Regional differences are fun!
it’s also synonymous with “you’re a fucking idiot, stop talking”
My experience is it’s used as “go fuck yourself” when it’s coming from strangers or people trying to place themselves as superior. In more familiar relationships, it can also can be used to express sympathy (especially about pain or difficult circumstances), as thanks, or to communicate you’ve misunderstood something (but it’s okay that you did).
Yeah I know (not familiar with the precise connotations but the general concept at least.)
I don’t see why it would be a compliment in any way, at most it would just be confusing.
It’s not a compliment, but it is a backhanded comment. My grade for the commenter? 50%. Didn’t understand the assignment, but tried anyway.