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 mos

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.