But is 'partner' an over-used word?

[horseyhorsey17]

Just a light-hearted thing but a bit of a bugbear of mine...it (very mildly) annoys me that people now use the word 'partner' where we would have said boy/girlfriend back in the 90s. You see it on here - someone has been on five dates and now refers to their date as their 'partner.' Partner to me implies a serious, committed, long-term relationship including co-habitation - if not you're not really 'partnering' are you?

I get that girl/boyfriend might not seem that appropriate for people dating in their 30s or older - and might not cover all options for how people identify - but 'partner' still makes me go 'urgh!'

I use partner in certain contexts like work because I'm 52 and if I said boyfriend it makes me sound like an immature dick.

I'm your age and feel the same

There needs to be a word for older liaisons that are not partnerships.

I'm thinking "gentleman caller".

Partner just makes me think of old western movies and sheriffs and cowboys. Howdy partner! If older and unmarried I see no problem with beau or lover.

A partner can be simply someone you expect to be sexually faithful to you.

That usually comes before the house and money sharing stage.

Does it really though?

Partner just makes me think of old western movies and sheriffs and cowboys. Howdy partner!

That is exactly the image it conjures up for me too.

I suspect it’s a generational thing.