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Partner?

Being from Newcastle, I've generally referred to my other half as 'Wor Lass', or I call her by her name. I won't ask someone what their partner does, as to me it infers a same sex relationship.

I'll ask who their boyfriend or girlfriend is but never ask who their partner is.
 
Yes, actually it is.

wife (wf)
n. pl. wives (wvz)
A woman joined to another person in marriage; a female spouse.

hus·band (hzbnd)
n.
1. A man joined to a another person in marriage; a male spouse.

I suppose that 'partner' sounds a bit more mature than girlfriend or bird or bidie-in or whatever.

Ever heard of Common law Wife or Husband? I know it holds no rights under law but it has always been accepted by people not wanting to get married but who live as Man and Wife. This term Partner has only crept in of recent times but just sounds so cheesy to me.
 
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Ever heard of Common law Wife or Husband? I know it holds no rights under law but it has always been accepted by people not wanting to get married but who live as Man and Wife. This term Partner has only crept in of recent times but just sounds so cheesy to me.

has that changed?

what about Bidey in?:smirk:
 
Ever heard of Common law Wife or Husband?

Not really, no. But looking into it, it seems that this is an American legal term (up here in Scotland it's known as "marriage by cohabitation with habit and repute") and I'd suspect that in real life each person would probably not refer to each other as husband or wife (in my opinion, natch :) ).

I agree that partner does sound a bit cheesy, but it is more formal sounding than any colloquialism like girlfriend, missus, burd, tart, bidie-in, lass etc... Before the wife and I got married I used partner when describing SWMBO to colleagues as I think it sounded more professional.

Would it sound better if you put the word 'howdy' before it every time you used it? ;)
 
Not really, no. But looking into it, it seems that this is an American legal term (up here in Scotland it's known as "marriage by cohabitation with habit and repute") and I'd suspect that in real life each person would probably not refer to each other as husband or wife (in my opinion, natch :) ).

I agree that partner does sound a bit cheesy, but it is more formal sounding than any colloquialism like girlfriend, missus, burd, tart, bidie-in, lass etc... Before the wife and I got married I used partner when describing SWMBO to colleagues as I think it sounded more professional.

Would it sound better if you put the word 'howdy' before it every time you used it? ;)

I just cant see whats wrong with a couple who live together and in many cases have children refering to each other as Husband and Wife. You dont really need a certificate to use these terms. If you are in a less committed relationship then Boy or Girlfriend was always acceptable, why not now?
 
I just cant see whats wrong with a couple who live together and in many cases have children refering to each other as Husband and Wife.

There isn't anything wrong with it, it's just that if you say you have a wife or husband it implies that you're married and if you're not you could be seen as being misleading.

Some people choose not to get married, for many reasons, and as such wont use these words in relation to each other.

If you are in a less committed relationship then Boy or Girlfriend was always acceptable, why not now?

It sounds immature, IMHO. It sounds fine if you're 18, but if you're in your 50s it just sounds a bit silly.

Plus, if you're committed to each other, but choose not to get married, girl/boyfriend sounds a bit demeaning of the whole situation. In this case, partner sounds more formal and more committed, again IMHO.
 
There isn't anything wrong with it, it's just that if you say you have a wife or husband it implies that you're married and if you're not you could be seen as being misleading.

Some people choose not to get married, for many reasons, and as such wont use these words in relation to each other.



It sounds immature, IMHO. It sounds fine if you're 18, but if you're in your 50s it just sounds a bit silly.

Plus, if you're committed to each other, but choose not to get married, girl/boyfriend sounds a bit demeaning of the whole situation. In this case, partner sounds more formal and more committed, again IMHO.

These terms are what was used up untill around 10 years ago, they never seemed silly or wrong before. To me the term 'partner' does not infer a loving relationship but more of a working/sporting/business arrangement. But Hey Ho! Gay used to mean happy when I was younger.
 
Why not? :confused:

If you posted a thread about waterproofs or your favourite football team should I reply with 'Why do you care'?

You could do, but it wouldn't really make sense :confused:

I just don't understand the need to comment on how others define their relationships. I personally wouldn't call my other half my partner, but if you did, for example, who cares?


With all due respect socket you do come across as the personification of a golf club cliche:D

I know the modern world is difficult for you to understand, just accept if for what it is:cheers:
 
You could do, but it wouldn't really make sense :confused:

I just don't understand the need to comment on how others define their relationships. I personally wouldn't call my other half my partner, but if you did, for example, who cares?

With all due respect socket you do come across as the personification of a golf club cliche:D

I know the modern world is difficult for you to understand, just accept if for what it is:cheers:

Your comment shows no 'due respect' You have decided to use a personal slight rather than discuss the subject matter, you could have just ignored it if it was not something you were interested in.
 
Your comment shows no 'due respect' You have decided to use a personal slight rather than discuss the subject matter, you could have just ignored it if it was not something you were interested in.


nothing personal, all based on your posts, every respect is afforded :thup:

It's just that you do come across as further to the right than gengis khan.

I think you need to open you mind a touch, doesn't make you a bad person :D
 
Girlfriend = relationship without the commitment/bond of marriage.
Partner = same sex other half
Fiancé = promise of further commitment, sometimes used to get past 1st base in the old days.
Wife = the obvious.
Mistress = lady found between a Mister and a mattress :)

Fixed that for you :thup:
 
nothing personal, all based on your posts, every respect is afforded :thup:

It's just that you do come across as further to the right than gengis khan.

I think you need to open you mind a touch, doesn't make you a bad person :D

I am 65 years, I have lived a life from utter poverty to a the MD of an internal business. I have served in the forces and raised a family who I can be proud of. I dont need to open my mind, it has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences and learning, it may hold values different to yours but they are the values I honestly believe in. They may not be the same as yours but I would never deny you the right to yours.
 
I am 65 years, I have lived a life from utter poverty to a the MD of an internal business. I have served in the forces and raised a family who I can be proud of. I dont need to open my mind, it has been shaped by a lifetime of experiences and learning, it may hold values different to yours but they are the values I honestly believe in. They may not be the same as yours but I would never deny you the right to yours.

Fair enough. I'm off to cook breakfast for my partner and then get stuck into the guardian crossword. Tofu porridge all round! Cheers:D
 
Mine just dumped me... just last month....




25 years together........









So I've got no-one to play with in the Foursomes Knockout this season ;)



Sorry, thought the thread needed lightening up a bit :D
 
Partner, whats that all about? Whats wrong with The Wife, The Misses, HID??

Partner! Thats a business thing not a loving relationship. Why do people use this silly term for their loved one.



I have just asked my Partner of 6 years "how do you see me in our relationship" ie partner,boyfriend.
Straight away she says partner,boyfriend seems like your 15 years old.
Do you really think HID sounds a great term for loved one[i dont[.
At the end of the day its what your both happy with.
 
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