The Right Word

[Moonhead]

Yep, I'm obsessed with asking questions this week... Pointless Question Number 4... Anyway, is there a word for someone you live with whom you're not married or engaged to, so isnt husband or fiance? I dont mean "live in lover" or "him in doors" or even the divorcee's favourite of "partner", but an actual word, like fiance? If not, then there should be, as I hate referring to my man as "my boyfriend|" as I think when you live with someone, it becomes more than that. Erm, thanks :)

[andy hughes]

There is an increasing trend for people in such circumstances to call their partner their 'husband' or 'wife' because the term for the relationship is 'commonlaw husband / wife'. As you say, it dserves something more significant that 'boy / girlfriend' so if you are happy, and he is happy, call him your husband.

[Moonhead]

Hehehe no he most certainly wouldnt like being introduced to people as my husband! Maybe I'll just make up a word and start using it, and maybe it'll catch on, and end up in the dictionary. I mean if "minger" can, then anything's possible... :o)

[Cetti]

I can't think of anything really sensible Moonhead, though I agree there should be - but what about as my Hussyboy? :-D

[Jabba]

There is an acronym POSSLQ, pronounced "possle-kew", Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters.

[Moonhead]

Posting answers to my own question now... My work colleague has just suggested LILOPA - Life Long Partner. "AB this is Ben, my Lilopa" has a lovely ring to it doesnt it..?? He he.

[Shrek2]

Co-habiting is the phrase use for such couples. Does he want to be called your your 'co-habitee' ??!!!

[Cetti]

Not too sure about Lilopa, Moonhead - it conjures up a bizarre picture of a limping wolf somehow ;-)

[medico]

In Scotland, he'd be your bidey-in, which is quite nice?!?

[buddy]

In scotland (under Scottish Law) your partner is referred to as your Common Law Wife or Husband and as such has most of the legal benefits married couples do. In saying that I dont think partner is so bad-I'm married and I love calling my hubby my partner because thats what he is.

[woofgang]

what's wrong with just saying "this is my lover" I bet you'd make quite a few people green with envy. I am married to my "partner" but also I quite ofter just say this is my man...

[flirty41]

How about 'significant other'? It's a term I've heard a lot recently.

[Moonhead]

I'd feel like Delboy if I started saying "significant other" Flirty! hehe

[thewillow]

What about 'my other quarter'? Or 'himself'? I call mine 'boy of my dreams'. He hates it.

[Balibee]

Informal Scottish term is "bidey-in". I'm quite partial to "lesser half", but oddly enough, he doesn't seem so happy about it.

[Janetex]

By law this person is your de-facto husband, so de-facto would be the correct terminology. I think that we need a new word in the english language to cover this type of partnership, but what.......???????

[secretspirit]

Before we got married I used to refer to my husband as my other half so people knew he wasn't just a boyfriend (I know exactly what you mean about that because you could have been with him five years or five days described that way). Even for the 14 months between getting engaged and getting married I called him that because fiance just doesn't trip of the tongue that well!

[hazeluk]

What about my man of the moment - would keep him on his toes

[CrshN2mme]

don't some people use the term mate?