other halve

coolvale

why do most ladies call their husbands or partners their other halve ?
why not call them by their name or say their husband or partner.
are they ashamed of them or is there another reason.i wonder.
toni

corkgsxr

I call the wife herself. Occasionally the other half. Never halve though

muff03

Halve is a bit of a mouthful alright

Malari

I don't know anyone who does it in real life. I get that "OH" is a convenient, unisex shorthand for internet use but I don't like the phrase myself and don't really use it.

OH is useful online. I think I would say it a lot less in real life. Certainly wouldn't be out of being ashamed that people use it, I think
Other half of the relationship like

cabledude

Online I refer to her as the OH.

In real life I call her 'Boss'

coolvale

but why not call your wife,husband or partner by their real name ?

ElleEm

If someone was ashamed of their 'other half' why would they refer to them as their other half/ other half of the relationship?
I would use the abbreviation online but would never say it in real life.
I would call my partner by name if the person I am chatting to knows him, otherwise I would say partner or boyfriend.

Legs.Eleven

coolvale wrote: »

but why not call your wife,husband or partner by their real name ?

I call mine snuggle bunny. Why? Because he's my ickle wickle snuggly bunny-bear.






Tenner bets you wish you never asked now, OP!

athtrasna

Other half is more private..I would be more prone to use it with acquaintances than with friends. The status of my relationship is my business. I also would select Ms as a title, even when I was married, again, my business.

RacoonQueen

coolvale wrote: »

but why not call your wife,husband or partner by their real name ?

because most people you talk to won't know what your partners name are, where if you call them your other half they'll know what context to take the story in etc..

...it's just another term, I hate 'boyfriend'

Das Kitty

Referring to them by name can have its drawbacks too.

For example, a guy at work kept talking about Lucy. How they went walking at weekends and how he'd have to get home to her. One day, someone asked how long he'd been seeing Lucy.

Yep, it was the dog.

To be honest, I don't care what other people call their partners, their mothers, their children. I generally try not to let what other people do, that don't impact on me, bother me.

Eeden

I know this sounds really, really pretentious, but it always sort of reminds me of the character Augusta Elton in Emma (Jane Austen) who keeps referring to her husband as her "caro sposo" and annoys the crap out of everyone.

Obviously not online, of course, that's different!

The ones that kind of annoy me are the DH (dear husband), DD (dear daughter), etc. Usually used when giving out about the relation concerned.

mathepac

Eeden wrote: »

... The ones that kind of annoy me are the DH ..

D'udder Half, or Halve as seems to be the preference in this thread.

SWMBO - She who must be obeyed (from Rumpole of the Bailey)
'er indoors - from Arfur Daley in Minder

m'lady

I use 'other half', I hate the terms 'boyfriend' it sounds so childish, something like a 13 year old would say!.. Also dislike 'fiancé', and have no reason why, maybe it gives too much of ones private business away?!, and don't like 'partner', bit too businesslike for me!

baby and crumble

I know from my point of view, it can help to have a few 'gender neutral' descriptors in my pocket. If I talk about my girlfriend, I reveal a lot more than my relationship status!

Then again, if I walk out my door, I tend to reveal it, so whatever. (I look super DUPER gay!!! :P)

I agree, though, I hate the whole DD/DS/DH thing. I think it's the 'dear' that irks me. I don't mind using OH online.

I tend to stick with partner if I'm talking to someone who doesn't know her. It's a bit neutral but points to us being together for a long time. But I'll also use girlfriend.

Basically, this post summarises nothing. I'll say whatever pops into my head, TBH. :rolleyes:

pwurple

There's only one thing that would bug me more than "other half"... and that would be "other halve". Halve is the verb people. The Verb. The noun is "half". Halves is the plural of half, which is where confusion appears I suppose... but if it's singular, and you are not talking about halving an orange, it's just Half.

Anyway, I'll put the grammar nutter back in her box. I have always called my husband, fiancee, boyfriend whatever he was to me at the time. I don't think I've used OH. I've not used Hubbie either, but he does use Wifey to wind me up sometimes.

"Partner" is one that is slightly too ambiguous for me. It makes complete sense when our gay friends use it, because they are talking about their civil partner. And I think that's where I just got used to it being used. But when straight people started using it, especially someone I've just met, I start to ponder.... did they just tell me they are gay? Or is this their business partner and they are not in a relationship at all? or are they a straight person using this because they think it's cool? I dunno.

Malari

My mom tends to introduce my boyfriend to people as my partner :pac: We've been together for a long time so I think she feels it's more serious than just "boyfriend".

Links234

Yeah, I use other half all the time

pwurple

pwurple wrote: »

Or is this their business partner and they are not in a relationship at all? or are they a straight person using this because they think it's cool? I dunno.

I used to wonder about partner sometimes, but I don't think its used to sound cool. It's quite a boring word. Lovepuppet or shagmate would be cooler. :pac:

Malari wrote: »

My mom tends to introduce my boyfriend to people as my partner :pac: We've been together for a long time so I think she feels it's more serious than just "boyfriend".

Yeah, I tend to think of it as describing a committed relationship. You could know a boyfriend a few months but partner implies permanency.

pwurple

Candie wrote: »

Yeah, I tend to think of it as describing a committed relationship. You could know a boyfriend a few months but partner implies permanency.

I misread that as 'implies pregnancy' first time around.

Anyway, I was never ashamed of the word boyfriend. My boyfriend was still called my boyfriend when we had a house together and were together over a decade. I certainly preferred it to the other charming terms used to describe that situation... "De Facto Spouse", "Common-Law Wife/Husband".

Malari

pwurple wrote: »

I misread that as 'implies pregnancy' first time around.

Anyway, I was never ashamed of the word boyfriend. My boyfriend was still called my boyfriend when we had a house together and were together over a decade. I certainly preferred it to the other charming terms used to describe that situation... "De Facto Spouse", "Common-Law Wife/Husband".

Oh dear no!

I also prefer Husband/Wife-elect to fiancé(e). :pac:

pwurple

pwurple wrote: »

I misread that as 'implies pregnancy' first time around.

Anyway, I was never ashamed of the word boyfriend. My boyfriend was still called my boyfriend when we had a house together and were together over a decade. I certainly preferred it to the other charming terms used to describe that situation... "De Facto Spouse", "Common-Law Wife/Husband".

I don't think anyone is ashamed of the word, they probably just feel partner is more accurate. I like the term boyfriend. My granny has a gentleman caller two whole years younger than she is. She calls him her toyboy.

Actually I think I like the term gentleman caller more than anything.

meeeeh

OH is handy online. Partner or boyfriend when talking to people who don't know him. I hate the word fiance and is the one I would never use.

Oh and I use partner in "we are together for foreseeable future, have children but don't pester me about marriage" kind of way.

beks101

m'lady wrote: »

I use 'other half', I hate the terms 'boyfriend' it sounds so childish, something like a 13 year old would say!..

I love it perhaps precisely for that reason. But then I'm in the early stages where everything is a novelty and 'other half' would be a bit premature. And 'partner' just reminds me of cowboys...

I've got friends in their late 30s who use "boyfriend" too - don't see what's wrong with it?

Have to laugh at my mother who's still stuck back in the 70s - "Beks has been doing a line with this new fella" - NO MOTHER YOU CAN'T SAY THAT ANYMORE!

Neyite

After a decade together and a child and being late thirties, I think sometimes 'boyfriend' is a bit juvenile-sounding, but I still say it mostly. Sometimes I'd say partner, but it depends. But then you hear of people only together a month or so saying 'partner'. Which sounds stupid in my opinion.

Though I suppose I could say fiance now, though I never have. Betrothed maybe. Lover is another one that would be funny but weird to use. I like Gentleman Caller though!

Stepping Stone

I use OH online, it is entirely anonymous and doesn't reveal his name to anyone who doesn't know us personally.

In conversation, I normally use his name, but occasionally I call him my better half. This is because I do think that he is the better half of the pair of us, he would disagree, but I am right. I actually could not be any more proud of him (I am sure that we all feel this way about our OH's). :o

Eeden

Anyone use "Significant Other"?

nompere

Eeden wrote: »

Anyone use "Significant Other"?

Not willingly - though I have remarked that it is short for "Significant Other Person" - making it a SOP.

I quite like "'er indoors" (thanks Arthur Daley) and "SWMBO" (Rumpole borrowing from Rider Haggard).

Mariasofia

Obviously use his name irl oh is just handy online.......




......and because he completes me :O.


*Im giving out free nausea tablets with this post * :-D

seosamh1980

My charming new husband used to genuinely call me his VELP to some people, Vaginally Endowed Life Partner. Curse you Tim Minchin!

seosamh1980

seosamh1980 wrote: »

My charming new husband used to genuinely call me his VELP to some people, Vaginally Endowed Life Partner. Curse you Tim Minchin!

I hope you called him as your PELP!

seosamh1980

Candie wrote: »

I hope you called him as your PELP!

I used to make some sort of joke questioning if he was endowed enough for the title :P

seosamh1980

seosamh1980 wrote: »

I used to make some sort of joke questioning if he was endowed enough for the title :P

You could tell him it stands for Poorly Endowed Life Partner.

Only if you're really mad at him though

spitfireIRL

We use "boo", but only ironically so it's fine.

baby and crumble

spitfireIRL wrote: »

We use "boo", but only ironically so it's fine.

Well if we're talking nicknames, then I can bring out some doozies!

spitfireIRL

baby and crumble wrote: »

Well if we're talking nicknames, then I can bring out some doozies!

Go on so, we're in the market :P Can only use shnookums and boo so many times!

Lovepuppy, cuddlebunny or squidgypants.






Are all good names to call me if you never want to see me again.

CathyMoran

I call him my hubby.

pwurple

Just reminded of the annoying ad for some health insurance or other (can't remember which one) where this woman wants to get home from hospital to look after her "tiny babies" and her husband. I think that was the one and only time I wanted to stop using the word "husband", just to not be associated with that idiotic ad. Why does a full grown healthy man need looking after ffs!

FairytaleGirl

I say other half or partner because I dont always want people to know straight up that I'm gay.

Similarly people may ask about a partner or other half incase a 'husband' might actually be a wife or vice versa!

Ahh the little things you straights take for granted! :P

seosamh1980

pwurple wrote: »

Just reminded of the annoying ad for some health insurance or other (can't remember which one) where this woman wants to get home from hospital to look after her "tiny babies" and her husband. I think that was the one and only time I wanted to stop using the word "husband", just to not be associated with that idiotic ad. Why does a full grown healthy man need looking after ffs!

That's funny, my mum rants about that ad for the same exact reason!

baby and crumble

spitfireIRL wrote: »

Go on so, we're in the market :P Can only use shnookums and boo so many times!

Pooh-bum
Fluff-bum (I like her bum!)
Chicken

I know I used to have more rubbish ones but I can't think of them now!


I hate "darling". It grates on every nerve I have.

FairytaleGirl wrote: »

I say other half or partner because I dont always want people to know straight up that I'm gay.

Similarly people may ask about a partner or other half incase a 'husband' might actually be a wife or vice versa!

Ahh the little things you straights take for granted! :P

"What's your husbands name?"
"Claire"
"Oh."
***awkward silence***

Penny Tration

If talking about him to people who don't know him, I say 'boyfriend.'

With people who know him, I use the nickname he goes by.

He refers to me as 'the missus' :rolleyes:

He also regularly calls me 'baby' just to annoy me because I don't like it. At which time, I find something equally vomit inducing to call him.

Stepping Stone

pwurple wrote: »

Just reminded of the annoying ad for some health insurance or other (can't remember which one) where this woman wants to get home from hospital to look after her "tiny babies" and her husband. I think that was the one and only time I wanted to stop using the word "husband", just to not be associated with that idiotic ad. Why does a full grown healthy man need looking after ffs!

Damage control and supervision is the only explanation. I would need to look after my home and protect it from the monster that hides within my OH, waiting for me to leave. I come home to mountains of unwashed cereal bowls, piles of dirty clothes/ ironing and a level of mess that cannot be accounted for. Ironically, when I am around, he is so clean, neat and tidy. You couldn't find a better person to live with. Leave him alone for more than a night and I have no idea what happens!

Dutchess

Online I refer to him as The Hubs or Mr. Dutchess, or grosser as this is what he goes by on boards. In real life it's My Husband for people who don't know me/him/us very well and if they do, I just use his first name. I call him 'hon' to his face when I'm happy with him, or by his first name when I'm not.

BanzaiBk

I always refer to my girlfriend as my OH or my partner simply because as others have posted it's ambiguous enough for those who don't know. I must say though the majority of women that I work with though refer to their boyfriends/husbands as partners or OHs to strangers and they are all straight. I think it lends itself more to a longer commitment, not something you're ashamed of.

Femme_Fatale

coolvale wrote: »

are they ashamed of them

No. It's just an informal phrase. Not one I'd use, but there's no deeper meaning to it.
DH/DP though... wtf.

Candie wrote: »

I don't think anyone is ashamed of the word, they probably just feel partner is more accurate. I like the term boyfriend. My granny has a gentleman caller two whole years younger than she is. She calls him her toyboy.

Actually I think I like the term gentleman caller more than anything.

Sounds a bit bootycall-ish though... :pac:

Neyite

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Sounds a bit bootycall-ish though... :pac:

When I'm a granny I'm totally going to make the grandkids cringe with that phrase

Neyite

Neyite wrote: »

When I'm a granny I'm totally going to make the grandkids cringe with that phrase

If I explained the term booty call to my granny, she'd use it all the time