"Partner" replacing the term "spouse"?

[VintageRose]

At work this past year I’ve noticed a new term popping up – “partner” seems to have replaced the word “spouse.”

It even happened again this morning while conversing with a young man (single and around 30 years old).

He kept referring to my husband as my partner, who I’ve been married to for decades.

(We even have a grown son older than this young man).

Even the young women there, who are married with children, still refer to their husbands as their partners.

With so many people hoping to find and marry that certain “someone” (such as those television and radio ads depict) why wouldn’t they be thrilled to call each other “spouse.”

The term “partners” sound like they open and close up shop together.

 

[edwest2]

It’s the evil spirit of the age. Husband, wife or spouse are valid. Partner is not valid.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Allegra]

When someone says “partner”, I assume they aren’t married. Most normal people say “husband” or “wife” when a marriage exists.

 

[hotdiggity]

It’s the evil spirit of the age. Husband, wife or spouse are valid. Partner is not valid.

Peace,
Ed

+1

 

[Bonnie]

Now they’re going to need a new word for “business partner.”

 

[3DOCTORS]

I cringe everytime I hear it since it usually denotes some new counterfeit that is politically incorrect to not respect in the same way that traditional marriage has been up until the last few decades.

I’ll give married people a bye if “partner” has a special sentimental meaning for them, though I prefer “husband,” “wife,” or “spouse.” If I were married, I’d be grateful and proud, and I would even let my husband call me “the missus” in a humorous way! I’m so tired of “partner” I would hope my hubby wouldn’t call me that.

 

[Deana83]

The only time I’ve heard it is when someone is gay and is referring to their mate. Otherwise, it sounds like something business, sports, or card playing related. It sounds way too casual for my taste. My husband knows better than to call me anything other than wife or spouse and I would do the same for him. Partner sounds very noncommittal- but it doesn’t seem to be if used by a homosexual.

 

[Oren]

One of my friends from childhood called her fiance her partner. I was like, your what? Why are you calling him that? She said she picked up the habit from her lesbian friends.

 

[oneofmany]

Yep, sign of the times. Even parent one and parent two is being introduced.

I love being a Mrs. and I want to be known as a Mrs. I want to say “my husband.” You can look at them puzzled and say, “you mean my husband?” I even love to say I am a housewife. I think it started with the feminist movement but that movement went into the lesbian movement. Seems saying husband and wife is not in now but we don’t need to leave it behind.

 

[Joannm]

Now they’re going to need a new word for “business partner.”

I recently realized this when talking about my daughter. She is recently married and now expecting a baby. She is also in business with another woman who is also pregnant. I was speaking to some people who do not know my daughter about both my daughter and her partner being pregnant and noticed some puzzled expressions and realized that maybe they thought my daughter and her partner were a couple. Now I am careful to say her business partner is also pregnant.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

You can look at them puzzled and say, “you mean my husband?”

This is what I do. When someone refers to him as my partner, I immediately respond with a ‘husband’. It offends me and I don’t care if the other person thinks I’m an idiot for sticking to such old-fashioned labels.

I know a guy who called his significant other his ‘life partner’. I guess that implied a higher level of commitment than just a ‘partner’.

 

[Bookcat]

Look this is not a business - this is a marriage!

 

[Tous_Logous]

For me to say someone is my “partner” (unless it’s something business related as in “business partner”) is a truly bizarre experience to say the least. I don’t even say the word “spouse” so much. I would describe any male I’m in a relationship with as “boyfriend” or “husband.” I would hope if I did I have a boyfriend/husband, he would refer to me as his “girlfriend” or “wife.”

My guess is “partner” is used in more common settings especially for a man having a relationship with a man or a woman having a relationship with another woman. Or, it could also refer to the fact that you might have many “partners” you are sleeping with.

I don’t see why it would be any other way.

 

[Brigid34]

For me to say someone is my “partner” (unless it’s something business related as in “business partner”) is a truly bizarre experience to say the least. I don’t even say the word “spouse” so much. I would describe any male I’m in a relationship with as “boyfriend” or “husband.” I would hope if I did I have a boyfriend/husband, he would refer to me as his “girlfriend” or “wife.”

My guess is “partner” is used in more common settings especially for a man having a relationship with a man or a woman having a relationship with another woman. Or, it could also refer to the fact that you might have many “partners” you are sleeping with.

I don’t see why it would be any other way.

I agree!

 

[CarolNoel]

I have had people refer to my husband as “your partner” and I do correct them and say no he is my loving husband.

 

[oneofmany]

This is what I do. When someone refers to him as my partner, I immediately respond with a ‘husband’. It offends me and I don’t care if the other person thinks I’m an idiot for sticking to such old-fashioned labels.

I know a guy who called his significant other his ‘life partner’. I guess that implied a higher level of commitment than just a ‘partner’.

I went to a funeral last week. I felt sorry for the minister. It was a Protestand funeral but the son of the woman who died was living with his girlfriend. In the program given out it had her listed as his “significant other.” When the minister came to that section he referred to her as his “friend.” Ministers and priests have to walk on eggs now it seems. I don’t believe the couple made a fuss about it though although now some will.

 

[lexabagatnan]

I personally like the term “husband” or “wife” in married couples, or “boyfriend” and “girlfriend,” “fiance,” “fiancee,” etc. It’s not really a formal title, but it’s more personal than just “partner.” I’ve really only see them mention that because of the rise of attention to same-sex “marriage” and partnerships.

 

[Deus_tecum]

“Partner” is from the “politically correct” lexicon. We are supposed to be(according to modern worldly culture) uber careful to not assume or discern anything, and this is to avoid the possibility of anyone’s little feelings being offended. On the other hand, I was told by a public grade-school kid in the mid 2000s that his male teacher had a male visitor in the class and introduced him to the children as his “wife”.

I say stick to the traditional terms for husband and wife for one man and one woman, but be on the alert that you may be called into the HR office for re-education.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I personally like the term “husband” or “wife” in married couples, or “boyfriend” and “girlfriend,” “fiance,” “fiancee,” etc. It’s not really a formal title, but it’s more personal than just “partner.” I’ve really only see them mention that because of the rise of attention to same-sex “marriage” and partnerships.

Sorry, but I do think “husband” and “wife” should be considered formal titles. That’s how they are introduced at the end of their marriage ceremony. “Fiancé” is also a formal title.

“Partner” is simply the best euphemism society can come up with since marriage, true, sacramental marriage, is so much deeper than a simple partnership. When I hear “partner” I think “long-term (relatively speaking) relationship involving fornication or homosexual activity, most likely living together.” Judgmental?-probably, but that’s how I hear the word today.