love me, love my dog

L

love me, love my dog (idiom)
/lʌv mi, lʌv maɪ dɔg/

Meaning

• Accept me as I am, including my faults and things or people I care about.
• If you care about someone, you must accept everything about them, including their attachments or flaws.
• Love involves embracing the whole person, including their quirks and loved ones.
• To truly love someone, you must also accept their friends, family, and interests.
• Genuine affection means accepting and appreciating all aspects of a person, even the parts that might not be appealing to you.

Example Sentences

1. If you want to be with me, remember, love me, love my dog.
2. Jane told Tom, “Love me, love my dog,” when he complained about her messy hobbies.
3. Understanding that love me, love my dog is a part of any relationship helped them stay together.
4. The saying “love me, love my dog” became their motto as they navigated each other’s differences.
5. He realized the meaning of “love me, love my dog” when he had to embrace her large, boisterous family.

Origin and History

The idiom “love me, love my dog” conveys the idea of accepting someone wholly, including their flaws, quirks, and attachments. This phrase has a rich and varied history that spans centuries, with its earliest roots traced back to the Middle Ages.

The earliest documented reference to the phrase is often attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century. During a sermon for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, he used the Latin proverb “Qui me amat, amat et canem meum,” which translates to “who loves me, also loves my dog.” This suggests that the saying was already a common proverb at the time.

The phrase appears again in the late 15th century in a book of miscellany, which compiled various proverbs, prayers, and historical notes. This collection indicates that the idiom was well-known and widely used by that time.

John Heywood, a notable collector of proverbs, included the idiom in his 1546 work, “The Proverbs of John Heywood.” His rendition, “What man, love me, love my dog,” further cemented the phrase in the English language and ensured its survival through the centuries.

Cultural Context and Evolution

Historically, the idiom highlights the holistic acceptance of an individual. In medieval times, dogs were not viewed as pets in the same affectionate manner as they are today. Thus, the phrase emphasized accepting someone along with their potentially less desirable attachments. The idiom’s continued relevance can be attributed to its universal message of unconditional acceptance, applicable in various personal and social contexts.

Modern Usage

Today, “love me, love my dog” is used metaphorically to signify accepting someone entirely, including their friends, family, and interests. The phrase underscores the importance of embracing all aspects of a person, promoting a holistic view of relationships and acceptance.

Synonyms

1. accept me with my flaws.
2. love me, love all of me.
3. embrace the whole package.
4. all or nothing.

About the Author

Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.

Animal, Dog, Love

Last update: July 21, 2024 11:05 AM