phrase
Love at First Sight
Instant, all-consuming romantic recognition on first meeting.
Origin
The trope is ancient โ Greek lyric poets wrote about it, Christopher Marlowe articulated the English version in Hero and Leander (1598): 'Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?'. Shakespeare quoted that line in As You Like It. Every romance novel and pop song since has leaned on the convention.
Modern usage
Used earnestly by the lucky and skeptically by everyone else. Modern psychology tends to call it 'love at first attraction' and notes that the real thing usually develops later.
Tags
love
instant
romance