Other Half Or Partner Arrgh!

[Henrietta]

Is it me or does "oh" sound clingy and needy? Like I'm only a half but then my other half makes me whole but if their not there I go back to being only half again.

It sounds slightly like the person is down grading themselves. My friend uses that term and it drives me nuts as she can't see what I'm saying.

The other term is "Partner" When someone introduces their boyfriend or girlfriend and says "This is my partner mike" and you're thinking "You've had 5 kids and have been with him for 20 years, doesn't he deserve better acknowledgement"? Don't you think "Partner" sounds clinical, robotic and loveless?

I use boyfriend or girlfriend.

Which terms do you use and if it's oh or partner why do you use those terms rather than use boyfriend/girlfriend which sounds more loving and exclusive?

When did these phrase rear their heads anyway?

[Henrietta]

I'd like to introduce you to my "Mufti"?

What does it mean as a quick search shows that it means "Dress" or "A mufti (Arabic: مفتي‎ muftī; Turkish: müftü) is an Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law"

[2sp_]

Thank you, great terms from China and NoM.

When we were engaged I wouldn't use the term Fiancé. No idea why, but it just seemed a bit cheesy to me.

[joggerjayne]

No, no ... "mufti" in the context of colonial expressions ... not to refer to one's OH.

If you're meeting your friends for a drink after work, and they've been home and changed into a pair of jeans, they are in mufti.

[Obiter]

I think the term 'Mufti' is in reference to colonial language, rather than any particular meaning. When I was in the RAF 'mufti' was the usual word for civilian dress as opposed to uniform.

[DTCwordfan]

So what's yours then, Jayne? 'Il fidanzato,' 'L'altra metà' or 'Lo schiavo uomo'?

[joggerjayne]

^^ as obiter says.

[Jeza]

I say Husband. When Mic was in hospital everyone kept say is Mic your partner I kept saying NO he is my Husband. In My eyes a partner is someone you are in a business relationship with.

[berniecuddles]

she calls me the old man!

[joggerjayne]

Lo Schiavo? The man slave?? lol

He's just the BF, of course.

[Obiter]

The French have a neutral term, though it may only apply to married couples,
'mon épouse', literally, my spouse.

[EcclesCake]

I am glad I am married as I would hate to be my age and struggling to find an appropriate term for errr.....my....errr.....him!

Jeza, the hospital a break; you've said previously that you don't wear a wedding ring.

[jennyjoan]

My aunt and uncle well into their eighties called each other Boy or Girl as in their names.

You know - Boy do you want to watch television tonight - Ah No Girl we'll go for a walk.

[wolf63]

In 1981 my pal and I went to Belgium on holiday with my pal. We were 17 and abroad for the first time.

They referred to each other as "Ma" and "Pa" ~ it sounded weird then and still seems weird now.

[ummmm]

My OHs mum and dad do that.

[Henrietta]

"Man Hostage"? "Man Slave"? If I called any of my men that they'd run a mile or get offended as they'd probably think i'm a clingy desparado who boils bunnies.

Funny though.

[dannyk13]

Natural progression is girlfriend/boyfriend, fiance/fiancee. wife/husband. IMO

[Obiter]

You forgot widow/widower, Danny.

[islasmum]

My OH used to refer to me as his "current tormenter" - in fun of course! I just say "my OH" nowadays, it didn't seem right to call him my boyfriend when he is 77!