Is The Olive Theory Real? Everything You Need to Know

The Olive Theory is a popular relationship theory that originated on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother. It states that if one person in a relationship likes olives and the other doesn’t, the relationship is compatible and meant to last. But is this theory true? In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about what the Olive Theory is, how it originated, and if it’s real. Plus, learn how to determine if you and your partner are compatible and learn about other popular relationship theories.

Olive Theory Meaning

The Olive Theory is a relationship theory from How I Met Your Mother that claims a relationship is compatible if one person likes olives and the other doesn’t. The theory gained popularity on TikTok for supporting the idea that opposites attract, though there is no supporting evidence behind it.

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What is the Olive Theory?

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The popular version of the Olive Theory argues that opposites attract. The Olive Theory, originating in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother, states that if one person in a relationship likes olives and the other person doesn’t, they’re compatible. It’s meant to show that there’s balance in the relationship.^{[1]
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- The theory is likely based around olives because they’re a polarizing food; most people either really like them or really hate them.
- In How I Met Your Mother, main character Ted Mosby believes in the Olive Theory because his friend Marshall hates olives and Marshall’s fiancée Lily loves them. Ted sees that they have a healthy relationship and wants one like it.
- This is the version of the Olive Theory most people discuss on social media sites, like TikTok.
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The “true” Olive Theory is about compromising in relationships. In How I Met Your Mother, it’s later revealed that Marshall secretly likes olives and just told Lily he hated them because he was attracted to her. He continues to give her his olives throughout their relationship. This is another version of the Olive Theory—that relationships come with give-and-take and sacrifice, even if it’s something as small as sharing your olives with the one you love.^{[2]
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- This version of the Olive Theory shows more of the true reason that Lily and Marshall are so compatible. It’s not because one likes olives and one doesn’t, but because one is willing to give up something they like so the other person can enjoy it.

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The Olive Theory in How I Met Your Mother

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The Olive Theory is introduced in the first episode of How I Met Your Mother. In the pilot episode of this popular sitcom, the main character Ted believes that if one person in a relationship likes olives and the other doesn’t, it’s a sign that they’re compatible. He believes this because his friend Marshall hates olives while his fiancée, Lily, loves them. Ted applies the Olive Theory to his own love life, testing it out when he goes on dates.^{[3]
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- In the episode, Ted goes on a first date with Robin and believes he will marry her because she doesn’t like olives and he does.
- However, it is then revealed by their friend Barney that Marshall doesn’t actually hate olives and just pretends so he can give his to Lily.
While Ted and Robin date for a while, they eventually break up. Later on in Season 9, it’s revealed that Robin has changed her mind and now likes olives. This gives Ted hope that her feelings toward him may also change, which is eventually confirmed in the series finale when they finally get together.^{[4]
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