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Thread: Word for not-spouse?

  1. #11
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
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    "Cancel culture" is just a new phrase for social opprobrium that's been going on since time immemorial. It used to be a lot more final--we used to cancel witches, after all.

    (Here I'd like to apologize for my ancestor, the oh-so-right Rev. Nicholas Noyes, who personally canceled a few...)

  2. #12
    Senior Member Tradd's Avatar
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    SO

  3. #13
    Senior Member razz's Avatar
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    A life partner, partner in adventures or partner in business are two people sharing a space. of some kind Partner covers all possible interpretations and whose business it is anyway?
    As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

  4. #14
    Senior Member catherine's Avatar
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    I think it's like if you're introducing your "SO/partner" at a party or if you're referring to them without using their name. In those cases, I would pick something short. I think "partner" is fine.
    "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" Emily Webb, Our Town
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  5. #15
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    This is my significant other ... and this is my not so significant other ...
    Trees don't grow on money

  6. #16
    Senior Member iris lilies's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ApatheticNoMore View Post
    This is my significant other ... and this is my not so significant other ...
    Haha, or for the pan person
    “Here is my significant other, and this is my other significant other”
    Last edited by iris lilies; 4-28-21 at 9:37am.

  7. #17
    Senior Member razz's Avatar
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    What about something simple like "good friend". Anything beyond that is private anyway.
    As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

  8. #18
    Senior Member herbgeek's Avatar
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    I use partner, particularly around people who's relationship status may be unclear to me, eg how's your partner vs how's your spouse. I will refer to my husband as my partner in mixed situations (whether that's married vs living together or same sex couples) as well as among other heterosexual married couples . It feels more inclusive to me. If that makes me a woke wannabe, I'm ok with that.

  9. #19
    Senior Member jp1's Avatar
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    We use partner.

  10. #20
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    What about something simple like "good friend". Anything beyond that is private anyway.
    I like it, couldn't get more inclusive (even non-partnered people may have good friends), but there might be times it doesn't work, like working at home during a pandemic on my bday and flowers arrive and I'm in a work meeting and have to stop to get them "oh my good friend just sent me flowers". It's pretentious and silly "my boyfriend sent me flowers" okay. And people may want to signal they are partnered (why have a wedding, why wear a ring etc. if not that). Even though much is ultimately private anyway.
    Trees don't grow on money

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