Anonymous wrote:To me “partner” means you’re in a committed relationship as a family unit, and may or may not be married.

I would only use it for an unmarried couple. People use it on purpose to indicate that they are committed, but not married. People don’t have to be married to be committed to each other and the word partner is a perfect way to indicate high level of commitment.

I say partner sometimes but I also sometimes just say "husband" (I am married). I don't use spouse because it sounds very formal to me. Whereas partner sounds casual but just not gender-specific.

I get people say partner to normalize it (and I guess I do too) but I think some people also consider husband/wife to be antiquated and I like using them. Which I guess is why I go back and forth.

Anonymous wrote:when did this become a thing? I understand LBGQT+ but why are straight people calling their bf, gf or spouse as a "Partner"? I find it odd.

BC not every romantic and/or long-term relationships- regardless of sexual orientation- requires marriage. I mean why to some people call coworkers work wife or work husband. Its language and it evolves with culture/social change.

I’ve started using it recently lol. Everyone at my new workplace uses it and since we’ve never met in person, and I don’t know their marital status or sexual orientation, i would feel like a fuddy-duddy using spouse or husband.

I feel like this has been around for a very long time. I’m in my early 40s and I remember my father talking about a friend of his and his partner. He meant business partner. Even my 13 year old brain jumped to boyfriend before thinking business partner.

My boyfriend uses "partner" because he's too chicken to get married, but "boyfriend" makes him feel disposable, like we're just dating and someone else could swoop in and snatch me up. I guess he feels partners are committed, but boyfriends get dumped.

I refuse to use it. I told him he's just a boyfriend until he puts a ring on it, then he can be upgraded to husband. But I'm not using "partner", if he won't commit, why should I?

To me “partner” means you’re in a committed relationship as a family unit, and may or may not be married.

Anonymous wrote:Just following the lead of those trendsetting Canadians.

Care to share??

I say it when I’m talking about a long term relationship that’s more serious than “significant other.” Significant other can be a boyfriend of three months.

Partner covers more situations and also sounds better than spouse. I've always hated the word "spouse" (not sure why) so switched over ASAP.

Anonymous wrote:LGB can use spouse now, also, since they can marry. I think partner means “we aren’t legally married but we conduct our lives as if we are married and would like you to treat us that way.”

Yes, this is how I hear it, too. It’s a good word for adults in a serious relationship who aren’t married.

Sexless, sanitized HR speak for sexless, sanitized HR-like relationships.

Partner is helpful in the scenario where an adult has a boyfriend/ girlfriend, fiance, soon to be ex, etc.
It doesn’t always connote gender or sexual orientation. I use it when the exact nature of connection is not a relevant detail to the story. You are conveying that two people are connected in a way that they share lives and make decisions together and that connection is what is relevant to the story.

When my mom tells stories she will often include the gender, race and sometimes weight / appearance of the person in her description. None of those details is relevant to a story about the receptionist at her dentist and I like point out to her that she is being rude and that she would not have included those details except to imply the person being described is less than or other. “Yes mom, she did not answer your question clearly. I doubt the fact that she is overweight impacts her ability to do her job.”

I use partner generically because it drives people like my mom crazy. If it’s not a compliment and it’s not relevant to the discussion, I leave out details that might derail the conversation.

Anonymous wrote:BF/GF sounds juvenile past age 35 or so.

This is why my friends who have been together awhile but aren’t choosing to get married use it.

Anonymous wrote:BF/GF sounds juvenile past age 35 or so.

This and also to reinforce any and every term over the inane "DH/DW" etc nonsense that's gotten so prevalent.