subs. phr. (popular).—Interested affection: a variant of the saw that ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ Cf., RICE-CHRISTIAN.
c. 1661. Poor Robin [HERRICK].
| A CUPBOARD LOVE is seldom true, | |
| A love sincere is found in few. |
1787. MISS SEWARD, Letters [ed. 1811], vol. II., p. 103. This last and long-enduring passion [of Dr. Johnson] for Mrs. Thrale was, however, composed perhaps of CUPBOARD LOVE, Platonic love, and vanity tickled and gratified.
1885. Girl’s Own Paper, VI., 830.
| When tea-time comes and milk, she’s not above | |
| Increasing her caresses, till we hear | |
| A whisper now and then of CUPBOARD LOVE. |
