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One of us... one of us.... (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/gay@lemmy.world
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[–] 17 points 2 years ago (6 children)

Why is partner more common than spouse? Is it because gay marriage was only recently legalized? I just find the word reminds me too much of business jargon and buddy cop movies.

I personally like my chosen one, cause then it's like we are in an epic quest together.

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  • [–] 23 points 2 years ago (3 children)

    It also covers fiancees and pre-engagement relationships.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    It also covers fiancees and pre-engagement relationships.

    And start-ups and law firms.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    And lots of work relationships where you're paired with someone. I used to love freaking out my conservative acquaintances when I'd start talking about my partner, and would always be very careful to only mention aspects that made them think the partner was the same gender as me. Eventually they catch on, but for a while they get oh so worried (tm) that I'm homosexual and am talking about a relationship rather than work.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    Or any relationship with an SO for that matter. I feel like the term, "Pre-engagement relationship" suggests that the procession into marriage is somehow requisite to the development of a relationship.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    I just find the word reminds me too much of business jargon

    Yeah. It's sterile and contrived, IMHO. We have 'spouse'; it's on forms already. In the days before everyone was misspelling names for attention (Hi D'wayne; this is Duane) its less sterile sterility would be the perfect sterility for sterile people.

    My wife and I were together decades before marriage. I can tell you no one cares about what your home life is like. You're just not that important. And that's the takeaway: use what you want, no one cares, and I'll clarify every damned time.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    I assume it has a lot to do with ideas around autonomy, ownership, monogamy/polyamory, etc. where conventional language is either uncomfortable or misleading.

    I like partner personally because it eschews ownership, and instead promotes autonomy.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago

    probably because partner is pareja and that's gender neutral, while spouse is esposo/a and that's gendered. Spanish being one of the world's most spoken languages does have an effect too.

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