Explanation of the idioms surrounding this irresistible subject.

A scientific study carried out in 2004 claimed to prove that love at first sight is a true phenomenon and that many people decide what kind of relationship they want within minutes of meeting someone. Apparently, in some cases, it can only take a few seconds for a person to decide that someone is going to be the love of their life.

One wonders whether this feeling will last, whether love will blossom (continue to grow) and whether people who meet in these circumstances will remain madly in love or head over heels in love for long periods of time. Perhaps they have a love nest where they can conduct a love affair, although this will clearly mean that they are not married, at least to each other. Sometimes such affairs are conducted in public and it can be embarrassing for other people to watch lovebirds who are all lovey-dovey (excessively and demonstrably affectionate) in public.

Occasionally a third person may be involved and a love triangle may develop, which may end in tears for all concerned. Years later there may be no love lost between the former lovers (they can’t stand each other). Of course there are many people who would not contemplate an illicit relationship for love nor money (not under any circumstances) and even if they have a love-hate relationship with their partner, they remain together. Shakespeare observed that “the course of true love never did run smooth” and it seems to be the case that people can fall out of love just as quickly as they can fall in love with someone.