# Loyal to those loyal to me ?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 24, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894 "2011-08-24T14:22:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/61 "2011-08-26T03:00:19Z")

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If you want to go hardcore with a similar sentiment you could go with

QUID PRO QUO

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**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/62 "2011-08-26T03:16:04Z")

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Other ideas: simpatico, reciprocity, mutuality, (crude) tit-for-tat

But I’m starting to think… you’re way better off making a fancy artistic tattoo in your own native tongue.

You’ll be sure that it really means what you want it to mean. And when other people see it, they will ask for a translation, and you’ll have a conversation starter. Win-win!

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/63 "2011-08-26T07:10:15Z")

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You could try “Love and Loyalty”. It’s a wholly positive statement. Though for a guy to ink “Love” on his body would take some guts. “Friendship and Loyalty” is another possibility, though it doesn’t encompass your family. It’s also a little awkward.

“Loyalty and Devotion” ?

Is there another adjective that you might want to pair with loyalty?

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/64 "2011-08-26T07:33:15Z")

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> [@Long\_Time\_Lurker](#):
>
> Your original phrase is grammatically fine as written, and I think some people here are overly nitpicking it.

I’m not sure we are. It’s clear that the OP primarily wanted grammatical advice, rather than idiomatic, however, I think we would be negligent if we fail to point out possible adverse interpretations of an English phrase that has been picked by someone whose first language isn’t English.

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**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\
**Post date:** [August 26, 2011, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/65 "2011-08-26T09:04:00Z")

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Actually I think the sentiment the OP is looking to express is properly spelt “My hovercraft is full of eels”.

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**Author:** ![SRB1988](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@SRB1988](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SRB1988)\
**Post date:** [August 28, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loyal-to-those-loyal-to-me/593894/66 "2011-08-28T05:43:56Z")

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> [@Pasta](#):
>
> I also get the negative connotation. In fact, when I read the thread title, I assumed that I was entering a thread about something that some world dictator might have recently said.

The quote of the SS is " Loyalty is my Honor" . It´s a pitty that the nazis ruined this nice slogan!

> [@JBDivmstr](#):
>
> (bolding mine)  
> I think _ **I** _ will take the advice of your teacher from now on. 😉
> 
> FWIW, I think that your grammar, punctuation and general usage of English are just fine, and after rereading the entire thread I think that your original phrase would be the best one to use for a tattoo. As many have already stated, it’s not too wordy and it conveys your feelings well.  
> I think I speak for everyone here when I say, be sure and post a picture of your tat after you get it done.
> 
> Again, sorry for the hijack earlier. 🙂

Thanks for your help…I´m sure I will post an image of the tattoo 😉

> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#):
>
> You could try “Love and Loyalty”. It’s a wholly positive statement. Though for a guy to ink “Love” on his body would take some guts. “Friendship and Loyalty” is another possibility, though it doesn’t encompass your family. It’s also a little awkward.
> 
> “Loyalty and Devotion” ?
> 
> Is there another adjective that you might want to pair with loyalty?

No, theres no additional adjective I want to pair with “loyal” or “loyalty” but I´ve a few ideas for future tattoos, already. “Love” or “Hate” are really good suggestions, but I not sure yet!

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