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?

[Obiter]

These phrases reared their head when it became socially acceptable to live in sin.

[gingejbee]

I think "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" sound a bit temporary....and teenage!

[ummmm]

I say OH. I find boyfriend sounds a bit childish.

[andy-hughes]

I can see that 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' may sound a little coy if the couple are in their fifties or sixties.

I always refer to my wife as 'my wife', never EVER 'the missus', or 'the wife' or any other similar expressions.

[Amyadams67]

I think they're just terms to describe the person you are with, and nothing more than that...?

[jno]

boy and girl sound a bit childish if you've been together 20 years. Partner is fine unless there's any chance of confusion with a business partner. But I think OH is okay; he/she is the other half of a couple.

[boxtops]

I used to get into trouble with Partner when I worked with a single guy in a business - if I introduced him as my partner, people assumed we were living together :-)

Partner is fine if you are in a relationship but not married, it's factual and what else would you say? I use OH frequently, as does my OH, who is actually my husband.

Boyfriend and girlfriend are completely inappropriate for anyone over the age of 25. Man friend and woman friend sounds very unaffectionate, if more adult.

[Henrietta]

I agree boyfriend/girlfriend does sound a little juvenile. What else is there to use?

[Mamyalynne]

'Beloved'

[aelmpvw]

'er indoors is a no no then andy ...

[boxtops]

There's nothing downgrading about OH - it's the other half of an equal partnership.

[boxtops]

"May I introduce you to my lover?" LOL

[AlwaysConfused]

I prefer saying 'this is my husband', I'm proud that I found someone mad enough to marry me! 'Partner' sounds like a same sex relationship. I tend to use 'OH' when online as it is quicker. When referring to my better half, most people ask how my old man is.

[Henrietta]

Does anyone use "Life partner"? That's a weird one. It's like saying yes we're going to spend the rest of our lives together but i'm slightly not sure so I'll not marry you just in case.

[boxtops]

Henrietta, you said

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,

It's hardly a boyfriend, then, IMO. To me, a boy or girl friend (apart from being a teenage term) is someone you don't live with, someone you date.

[Svejk]

I'm all alone in the world(boo-hoo)

[Prudie]

Alternatives are needed because so many people aren't married. Boyfriend/Girlfriend for grown ups sound silly in my opinion. Life partner a bit tree-huggy. I will say partner or other half depending on who I'm talking to.

[Obiter]

Now that gay people can get married, how do they introduce their partners?

This is my husband? This is my wife?

[seekeerz]

provided no-one refers to me as 'their current squeeze' I'm not fussed - that term gave me the horrors !!

[joggerjayne]

The BF and I are BF and GF ... and we are both in our forties.