Loved-up


What's the meaning of the phrase 'Loved-up'?

Feeling euphoric and well-disposed towards those around you – induced by the use of drugs, notably Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).

What's the origin of the phrase 'Loved-up'?

This term is British and emerged in the 1990s from the rave and dance club scenes. There is an earlier citation from 1963, but the phrase didn’t become generally used at that time. The first printed reference to it that I can find from the rave/clubbing period is the December 1991 issue of The Face:

“So all the lads became loved-up? No, this wasn’t a cure for violence.”

The phrase was used in 1995 as the title of a film, directed by Peter Cattaneo.

Trend of loved – up in printed material over time

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
Loved-up

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