4 ms·

> widow To be picky, I recall the article saying "partner" in that they were not legally married… not that it takes anything away from your points otherwise.

reaperducer 8y ago
I've noticed in the last few years that many Europeans use the word "partner" even if they're married. It seems to be part of the Euro version of being over politically correct.
- driverdan 8y ago
  How is it "over politically correct" to use the word partner?
- Symbiote 8y ago
  s/politically correct/respectful/ usually works well, and shows that people using the term intend disrespect. But in this case, I think we are just maintaining privacy. You don't need to know whether I'm married or not, or the gender of the person.
  - jexah 8y ago
    I use the term "partner" because I'm in a civil partnership. Same legalities as being married but without the terminology and ceremony, not to be politically correct, respectful, or to maintain privacy. So it depends on where you're from, partner could be the legally correct term as opposed to just meaning "significant other"
- sofaofthedamned 8y ago
  Not politically correct at all. I'm marrying my partner next month, she'll still be my partner. The 'wife' bit will be for formal conversations. Much as my son is actually my son despite him being from another father, i'd rather not dick around with clarifications when it's no concern of anybody else what our legal status is when compared to our actual relationship.
- TomMarius 8y ago
  I'm European; I think the word has a little different meaning here than it does in the USA. It has nothing to do with political correctness. It's common (in most European languages including both Slavic and Latin ones) to call your girlfriend a "partner" here. The word means that you're in it together ("business partner" is also used, BTW), whatever it is; when your girlfriend becomes a wife, she still is your partner (or at least you hope she is). Sometimes the word is used to empathize that he/she isn't just "some random" boy/girl friend and that it's a long term serious relationship.
- zaarn 8y ago
  It's got very little to do with political correctness at all, "partner" is a word that can be used as a fitting translation for married individuals in many european countries.
- ionised 8y ago
  I don't understand what that has to do with political correctness.

reaperducer 8y ago

I've noticed in the last few years that many Europeans use the word "partner" even if they're married. It seems to be part of the Euro version of being over politically correct.

driverdan 8y ago
How is it "over politically correct" to use the word partner?
Symbiote 8y ago
s/politically correct/respectful/ usually works well, and shows that people using the term intend disrespect. But in this case, I think we are just maintaining privacy. You don't need to know whether I'm married or not, or the gender of the person.
- jexah 8y ago
  I use the term "partner" because I'm in a civil partnership. Same legalities as being married but without the terminology and ceremony, not to be politically correct, respectful, or to maintain privacy. So it depends on where you're from, partner could be the legally correct term as opposed to just meaning "significant other"
sofaofthedamned 8y ago
Not politically correct at all. I'm marrying my partner next month, she'll still be my partner. The 'wife' bit will be for formal conversations. Much as my son is actually my son despite him being from another father, i'd rather not dick around with clarifications when it's no concern of anybody else what our legal status is when compared to our actual relationship.
TomMarius 8y ago
I'm European; I think the word has a little different meaning here than it does in the USA. It has nothing to do with political correctness. It's common (in most European languages including both Slavic and Latin ones) to call your girlfriend a "partner" here. The word means that you're in it together ("business partner" is also used, BTW), whatever it is; when your girlfriend becomes a wife, she still is your partner (or at least you hope she is). Sometimes the word is used to empathize that he/she isn't just "some random" boy/girl friend and that it's a long term serious relationship.
zaarn 8y ago
It's got very little to do with political correctness at all, "partner" is a word that can be used as a fitting translation for married individuals in many european countries.
ionised 8y ago
I don't understand what that has to do with political correctness.