Determining the success or potential success of a relationship by whether one person in the relationship loves olives while the other person hates them.
Marshall and Lily in "How I Met Your Mother" argue that based on the Olive Theory, they are an awesome couple based on Marshall's hatred of olives and Lily's olive love.
by Barnabus Stinson January 24, 2009
The Olive Theory is a theory in which if one person in a relationship loves olives, and the other hates olives, the two are meant to be. (Originated from "How I Met Your Mother")
Person #1: (to significant other) "how do i know that this will last?"
Person #2: the olive theory! Do you like olives?
Person #1: i hate olives!
Person #2: i love them! We are meant to be!
Person #2: the olive theory! Do you like olives?
Person #1: i hate olives!
Person #2: i love them! We are meant to be!
by alltimeloww June 17, 2015
The theory that if one partner in a relationship likes black olives, and the other doesn't, the relationship could work out. If neither party likes, or both parties hate, black olives, according to the theory, their relationship is doomed.
Bro 1: Hey bro, how do your parents get along so well?
Bro 2: Black olive theory, bro. My dad loves black olives and my mom hates 'em.
Bro 2: Black olive theory, bro. My dad loves black olives and my mom hates 'em.
by 13hopelessromantics September 10, 2012