A 'partner' is someone you are in a LTR with, probably cohabiting, not someone you met last month or are dating.

[RubberTreePlant]

It means life partner not shag partner.

AIBU?

I always think of 'howdy partner'

Am I the only one who will never feel old enough to say ‘partner’?

I feel like partner has become synonymous with girlfriend/boyfriend. I think young people started using ‘partner’ the second they hit 18 at some point and it’s just carried on since then.

I use partner, I wouldn’t be comfortable using boyfriend in public.

Tbh I do think it sounds a bit strange when older people (50+??) say girlfriend or boyfriend. I can't put my finger on why exactly.

For fear of homophobia @SimonJT ? If that's what you mean, then it's sad that you need to think about it, but probably sensible.

Am I the only one who calls themselves ‘wifey’ after the first date and shows their undying love by following them to work and ensuring a nice rabbit stew awaits them on their return?

Tbh it's my number one annoyance on mumsnet

Really? Have you been here long?

OP, I too think it’s ridiculous to call someone your partner when you barely know them. I personally think it’s only really a suitable description if you’re living together.

I think when you get older and are heading for a more mature relationship, 'boyfriend'/'girlfriend' starts sounding more pathetic than 'partner', surely?
This ^^. I'm far too old to have a 'girlfriend'

I say "husband" but actually, we're not married, been together 23+ years though.

@RubberTreePlant yes! He's not saying it in a derogatory way and honestly I don't feel that girlfriend suits me anyway. It makes me feel like a delicate little sparrow.

It makes me feel like a delicate little sparrow.

I feel like this might become a therapy session

🤔 a ‘partner’ or ‘boyfriend/ girlfriend’ is somebody you are dating/ in a relationship with.

A Fiancé is somebody you are engaged to.

A husband/wife is somebody you’re married to!

Stop trying to invent sub categories it smacks of ‘my DP won’t marry me so I want to validate our relationship with a defined title’ 🤔 nobody cares what you call your other half!

Posslq; as in

I will give my love to you
If you will be my posslq.

(United States census bureau in the 1970s: Person opposite sex sharing living quarters. Doesn't necessarily work for the LGBETC)

Stop trying to invent sub categories it smacks of ‘my DP won’t marry me so I want to validate our relationship with a defined title’ 🤔 nobody cares what you call your other half!

Say what?

Pr 'POSS-ulk' @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime?

Boyfriend/girlfriend sounds ridiculous. If it were someone I’d only known for a month I’d probably just say ‘the guy I’m dating’.

Possell-kew so that it rhymes, RubberTreePlant.

Doh. Of course.Possellkew.I quite like that

I’m another one who finds it icky somehow, for a 40+ person to call the person they have a romantic attachment with their boyfriend/ girlfriend

I was married. He was my boyfriend, then partner, then fiance then husband now bastard exh I am now dating again. Bloke I am dating and have been for several months is my 'whatever' as I'm struggling to label it but not sure it matters now tbh. Think I'm over giving a shit.

It's got to be latest squeeze, no ?

Or "this bloke I'm seeing", the man I live with ?

It's got to be latest squeeze, no ?

I love that one, for some reason. A succession of squeezes sounds fun.

My DF uses it, I think it's '60's slang.