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Where did the phrase “Bleeding Heart” come from?
You may have heard this saying, but don’t worry! It doesn’t mean that a person’s heart is bleeding; it only means that a person is extremely generous and giving to others.
Do you know any “bleeding hearts”? They could be like the elderly neighbor down the street who feeds all the stray animals in your neighborhood, or your friend’s mom who donates all of her free time to charities at your school or in your town. Someone who’s called a “bleeding heart” often feels compassion or sorry for people who are less fortunate, like people who don’t have jobs or homes or who may be sick.
Where did this saying come from? The term originated in America in the 20th century. Some people worried that the government wasn’t doing enough to help people who needed assistance, and these “bleeding hearts” took it upon themselves to help them. They got their nickname from other people who believed that people shouldn’t rely on welfare and charity.
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