What to call your (non-married, but live-in) "Significant Other"?

[DVCLiz]

Oh, I hadn't thought about POSSLQ in years! It was a great word. Just pronounce it "posselcue" and you're good to go. Of course, I wonder if people would even know what it means anymore.

 

[Princess on the Run]

Go with Lover and see how many people blush.

I don't like Partner or Spouse Equivalent either because it sounds too PC.

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

How about Mate?


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[rkandmjsmommy]

Your post really made me giggle, I LOVE "the boy I like"

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I think most people around here use "partner" in that situation. I like "sweetie" though.

TP

 

[kimmar067]

....does PITA count?

 

[davedmaine]

Manfriend?

Ugh

 

[Tuffcookie]

There is no need to explain. You say, "This is Harvey," and let them figure it out. My MIL always said, "This is Don's (DH) friend." That always cracked me up. Goodness we were dating a long time. We were more than "friends."

I agree with this. There is no need to assign a title. Just introduce him by his name!

TC

 

[TinkerBelled]

Before we were engaged, but long after we were living together, I called my now-husband my partner in professional settings and my sweetheart amongst friends.

The former I got from the UK, where many people never marry and partner is commonly used for same- and opposite-sex relationships. Sweetheart, though, was actually what my mom called her gay best friends' partners (back in the 80s, long before gay marriage was a glimpse on the horizon)--as in, 'Do you remember Ben? He's Dave's sweetheart.'--and it sort of stuck with me as what you called serious loves living together outside marriage.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I agree that there shouldn't be a need to explain the relationship, but if you do feel the need, my life partner would work in business or professional situations, and my dearest heart sounds lovely in social situations. I've been married for 47 years and I still introduce my spouse as my dearest heart, because he really is.


Queen Colleen

 

[PrincessKsMom]

My latest conquest.

 

[Fire14]

I have same issues as a dtr, on what to introduce my dad's other half as. WE will not go there on how this came about.

 

[pookybean]

i have always loved the word paramour!

ive seen it used a lot in social service commentary.

i would think partner is ok, i have a friend who uses that. when i met her i did wonder if it was a same sex relationship, but lately ive heard it a from others as well.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have same issues as a dtr, on what to introduce my dad's other half as. WE will not go there on how this came about.

My Father's "other half" is introduced as her first name. Nothing else.

 

[FLCyndi]

Manfriend?

 

[shortbun]

lovah!

 

[disykat]

Me, I'd stick with "boyfriend." If not, I'd go with "partner." I don't think it implies same-sex, especially if he is there, lol.

I don't like spousal-equivalent. It isn't. And it sounds like you're trying to make it the same...like you're desperate to have the relationship viewed in the way a marriage is without actually marrying.

I agree. Spousal equivalent might make sense for gay couples if they live where they can't marry, but it doesn't make any sense to me for couples that could be married, but choose not to be.

I like partner or life partner.

 

[brookmey]

I think anything's better than "the person who's spending all grandpa's money," which is what my mom and her sisters called their dad's "friend" after my grandmother died. LOL

DH's boss is from the UK and he refers to his SO of 13 years as his "non-wife" or his "person."

You could also use "plus 1." My aunt has been with her boyfriend for over 20 years and that's what she calls him to people who don't know him. They don't live together, but they're together all the time.

 

[tvguy]

I agree. Spousal equivalent might make sense for gay couples if they live where they can't marry, but it doesn't make any sense to me for couples that could be married, but choose not to be.

I like partner or life partner.

One of my co-workers uses "he's not my husband or boyfriend, but he'll do for tonight"

 

[MotifNumberOne]

You can still call him your spouse:

A spouse is a partner in a marriage, civil union, domestic partnership or common-law marriage

From Wikipedia