I Like My Suitcase: Exploring The Unexpected Bond With Our Travel Companions
There's a simple phrase that often brings a smile to my face, yet might seem peculiar to some: "I like my suitcase." In a world bustling with grand declarations of love for people, pets, or passions, expressing affection for an inanimate object, especially one designed purely for utility, can feel a bit odd. But pause for a moment and consider the journeys, the memories, and the sheer reliability that a good suitcase embodies. It's more than just a container; it's a silent witness to our adventures, a trusted companion on the road less traveled, or even just the well-worn path to grandma's house.
The word "like" itself is fascinatingly versatile, carrying a spectrum of meanings that help us understand this peculiar fondness. What does the word like mean, anyway? As the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) reveals, there are 50 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word like, 11 of which are labelled obsolete. This linguistic richness allows us to explore our connection to our luggage from multiple angles. See ‘meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence, and you’ll quickly realize how deeply embedded this word is in our daily language.
The Verb of Affection: Why We "Like" Our Suitcases
At its most fundamental, "I like my suitcase" uses 'like' as a verb. The meaning of like is to feel attraction toward or take pleasure in. It means to enjoy or approve of something or someone. When we say we like our suitcase, we're expressing a favorable regard for it. This isn't a romantic love, but rather an appreciation born from experience and satisfaction.
Think about it: what makes you "like" your suitcase? Is it its robust wheels that glide effortlessly through crowded airports? Is it the clever compartments that keep your clothes organized and wrinkle-free? Or perhaps it's the distinctive color that makes it easy to spot on the baggage carousel. To regard (something) in a favorable way often stems from its performance and reliability. My current suitcase, for instance, has survived countless trips, from cobbled European streets to dusty Asian trails. It's never let me down, always protecting its contents, and that reliability fosters a genuine sense of approval.
We often show that we think something is good on a… (platform, like social media, or simply through our actions). By consistently choosing that particular suitcase for every journey, we are, in essence, giving it a silent "like." We are demonstrating our approval through repeated use, a testament to its practical value and the pleasure it brings by making travel smoother.
The Preposition of Similarity: When a Suitcase Is "Like" Another
Beyond expressing approval, "like" also functions as a preposition, indicating similarity. If you say that one person or thing is like another, you mean that they share some of the same qualities or features. The meaning of like has to do with being similar. This aspect of 'like' is crucial when we talk about evolving our travel gear.
Consider upgrading your luggage. You might say, "My new suitcase is like my old one, but better." This implies that the new one shares the desirable qualities of its predecessor – perhaps the same durable material or a familiar layout – but with improved features, like lighter weight or a more secure lock. It's about finding continuity in functionality. Just as someone might say, "She's wearing a a dress like mine," referring to a shared style, or "He's very like his father," noting inherited traits, our suitcases can share characteristics that make them familiar and comfortable.
The examples from the data illustrate this perfectly: "He looks like father christmas" or "Maybe you sound just like your sister when you answer the phone." These highlight shared appearances or attributes. Similarly, my first proper travel suitcase was a hand-me-down from my older brother. It was sturdy, reliable, and had seen the world. When I finally bought my own, I sought one that was "like" his – robust, spacious, and with a no-nonsense design. While it wasn't identical, it shared those core qualities I had come to appreciate, making the transition seamless and reassuring.
This sense of similarity can also extend to our relationships with others. "Kathy is a great mate, we are like sisters," is a beautiful example of how shared experiences and deep bonds make two individuals "like" each other in spirit, even if not by blood. In a way, our suitcases become "like" us – they bear the scuffs and stickers of our journeys, becoming extensions of our adventurous spirit.
The Noun of Uniqueness: "Never Seen Its Like"
Finally, "like" can also function as a noun, referring to a similar or comparable person or thing, or persons or things. This is where the phrase "no one has seen her like in a long time" comes into play. It speaks to uniqueness, to something unparalleled. When we say we "like" our suitcase in this context, it's because we believe it's exceptional, perhaps even one-of-a-kind in its performance or design.
My favorite suitcase, for instance, has a particular combination of features that I've never found in another. It's lightweight yet incredibly strong, has an external pocket perfectly sized for my laptop, and its wheels have endured abuse that would cripple lesser bags. I often joke that I've searched, but I've never seen its like. It matches or equals my ideal perfectly. This isn't just about liking it; it's about appreciating its singular qualities that set it apart from all others.
This appreciation for uniqueness often grows with time and experience. After trying several different brands and styles, you come to recognize what truly works for you. That one suitcase that consistently meets your needs, trip after trip, becomes irreplaceable. It's not just a bag; it's *the* bag, the one that has proven its worth and earned its place in your travel arsenal. Its "like" is hard to find because it perfectly aligns with your specific preferences and travel style.
The Personal Connection to Our Travel Companions
Ultimately, saying "I like my suitcase" is a testament to the quiet, unassuming role these objects play in our lives. They carry our essentials, protect our treasures, and accompany us as we explore new horizons or revisit familiar comforts. They are silent partners in our adventures, absorbing the bumps and bruises of travel so we don't have to.
Whether we like them because they feel attraction toward or take pleasure in, or because they are like a trusted friend sharing some of the same qualities or features, or simply because we’ve never seen their like in terms of reliability and design, the sentiment is real. It's a recognition of utility, durability, and perhaps, a touch of personal history woven into the fabric and zippers of our most loyal travel companion. So, next time you pack, take a moment to appreciate that trusty piece of luggage. You might just realize that you, too, genuinely like your suitcase.
Summary: This article delves into the seemingly simple phrase "I like my suitcase," exploring the multifaceted meanings of the word "like" to explain our affection for these travel companions. It highlights how "like" as a verb signifies approval and pleasure derived from a suitcase's reliability and features. It then discusses "like" as a preposition, illustrating how we seek similar qualities when choosing new luggage, drawing parallels to human relationships. Finally, it examines "like" as a noun, emphasizing the unique and unparalleled qualities that make a specific suitcase stand out. The piece concludes by affirming the unexpected yet genuine bond we form with our suitcases, recognizing their vital role in our journeys and the quiet pleasure they bring.
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