3 ms·
As an aside, I noticed you refer to your wife as "the wife" rather than "my wife". I've noticed others talk like that as well. I wonder what the origins of that
by polishdude20 3y ago
As an aside, I noticed you refer to your wife as "the wife" rather than "my wife". I've noticed others talk like that as well. I wonder what the origins of that are.
- abid786 3y agoIt’s originally British and was slightly derogatory there: https://amp.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/oct/01/guardian-weekly-notes-queries-the-wife-husband https://amp.theguardian.com/theguardian/2013/oct/01/guardian... When used in American English I think the derogatory aspect is no longer present but that’s my opinion
- metaphor 3y agoPartly conditional avoidance of referring to her in a possessive manner, but mostly just subtle figure of speech when attempting to convey myself as being in a position of otherwise harmless (and often convenient) deference, perhaps influenced by an upbringing in a culture with strong matriarchal values.