Olive Theory 

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.

Olive Theory by Barnabus Stinson January 24, 2009

the olive theory

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!

the olive theory by alltimeloww June 22, 2015

Black Olive Theory 

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.

Black Olive Theory by 13hopelessromantics September 10, 2012

the olive theory

so basically, it referes to the theory from how i met your mother which says that the potential of a relationship is determined by whether one person in the relationship loves olives while the other one don't. In this case, the one who hates olives gave them to the other so they completed eachother. But the theory is not just about opposing points fitting well together : the most important thing is about willing to sacrifice something you love, to give it to the other.

Ted Mosby, HIMYM : The olive theory is based on my friends Marshall and Lily : he hates olive, she loves them. In a weird way, that's what makes them such a great couple.

Later, Marshall actually admitted that he liked olives but gave them to Lily because she loves olives more

the olive theory by legend-wait for it...-DARY November 17, 2023