I love Starbucks! I love football! I love you?
The English language reserves only one word for the thousands of emotions and different meanings surrounding the idea of love.
"It's hyperbole. Americans love everything. The British are much more reserved," said Dr. Charles Hall, linguistics professor at The University of Memphis. "It's a bit of a problem for us because we have bleached the word"
The Germans are a bit more reserved as well, according to foreign exchange student, Marcus Ott. The German equivalent of "like" is used instead of the worn-out love word typical of American jargon.
Those red and pink hearts and mischievous Cupids invading the aisles of local stores also find their way into European stores. Ott said his home in Bavaria, Germany stocks the stores full of Valentine's merchandise.
Germany may be one of the few European countries that observes Valentine's Day, according to Hall. "I think Americans have to have these days specifically for the 'I bought you a card so that means I love you' excuse."
Hall noted that the day has been fully exploited by merchants across town trying to yield a profit.
"It just becomes an excuse to buy people presents they don't really want."
While many couples eagerly anticipate a day devoted to their romance, others prefer to ignore the celebrations.
"My girlfriend and I don't celebrate it because she just doesn't like it," Ott said. "I do know girls who are very into the day and feel very offended if you don't get them things, but it's an agreement between each couple."
Perhaps you've been left to ponder the heart breaking line, "I love you. I'm just not IN love with you."
What is that supposed to mean? Dr. Hall said this phrase is just one example of the confusion born by "bleached love."
"Many other languages are much more specific in the type of love," Hall said. They reserve specific 'love words' when referring to the physical, emotional, sexual or even friendship aspect of love.
For example, the Greek language focuses on four primary love words: eros, storge, phileo and agape.
"Eros would have naked bodies. Friendship (phileo) naked personalities," wrote British author C. S. Lewis in his book "The Four Loves."
If you've ever said, "Love you Mom," your intentions were hopefully far from erotic. Storge is responsible for this parent-child love. And agape is a love in Biblical text used to refer to the love extended from God to man.
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, the many shades of love demonstrate their affection in forms of candy, flowers and cards. Hall suggests students make their own cards. "Everybody can write a really good, bad poem." Straight from the heart, not straight from Hallmark is more enticing to him.
For single students who sing the blues instead of enjoy the day's red and pink haze, Hall said,"write yourself a poem."
If you don't get a Valentine's Day card, don't worry. "You'll be just like the rest of the world," he said.
