Why Use Partner ?

[LestaT]

I just realize that name many people especially westerners usually use the word 'partner' instead of 'wife', 'husband', 'girlfriend', 'boyfriend' anymore ?

First I thought it's just if your 'partner' is of the same sex of you but the more I see it's also for heterosexual couples.

???

[Seleukos]

Hearing that is very rare. I usually hear my man/woman/boyfriend/girl. I only hear partner in same sex relationships.

[LestaT]

I'm working for an airline and I read/hear many people using partner already though when checked through bookings it shows hetero couples. Some with same surnames which I don't think partner in this case will be brothers/sisters/sons/daughters etc.

[Krieglord]

Usually I only hear partner for Homosexuals.

[Satrio Eko]

Maybe they are only sex partner
so they call them partner

[Condottiere 40K]

I think it depends on the form of relationship it takes; two people in their thirties to sixties living together without kids could be described as partners; or DINK.

[John F. Kennedy]

Pretty sure I've never really heard the term "partner" except to refer to an adult couple. That's probably because the idea of referring to each other as "boyfriend and girlfriend" seems childish, and "partner" sounds like a more mature phrase.

[Captain Hastings]

I rarely hear partner these days. More often it's the horrible 'significant other'.

[brandbll]

Was it someone from Texas? They call people "pardners" down there all the time. Like, "Howdy Pardner". It's just an expression they use, it doesn't mean they are married to the person or that they are gay.

[Lord Baal]

I think because partner is a more neutral word. If you say wife to a gay men he might get upset and demand for discrimination or something like that (yeah, I now, people get upset by anything this days). The same with lesbians. And even straight couples, what if they are not married? Then is not technically her/his husband/wife. And technically and legally what's a boyfriend or girlfriend?

In my country relatively recently was created a civil status called "concubinato" (concubinage), that fill in for people that have more than a year living together in a romantic relationship without getting married, but for all legal effects it's like being married. That means, the partners then have rights over each other possessions just as in a marriage, or worst because there's no pre-nuptial agreement. That cover in part the girlfriend/boyfriend status, but of course it doesn't if they live apart. But I digress.

Bottom line, I think that since partner covers for all the kind of companions in romantic relationships that could be out there, is being more used today.

[Fenwayb]

partner is less presumptuous.

[Akar]

I think because partner is a more neutral word. If you say wife to a gay men he might get upset and demand for discrimination or something like that (yeah, I now, people get upset by anything this days). The same with lesbians. And even straight couples, what if they are not married? Then is not technically her/his husband/wife. And technically and legally what's a boyfriend or girlfriend?

In my country relatively recently was created a civil status called "concubinato" (concubinage), that fill in for people that have more than a year living together in a romantic relationship without getting married, but for all legal effects it's like being married. That means, the partners then have rights over each other possessions just as in a marriage, or worst because there's no pre-nuptial agreement. That cover in part the girlfriend/boyfriend status, but of course it doesn't if they live apart. But I digress.

Bottom line, I think that since partner covers for all the kind of companions in romantic relationships that could be out there, is being more used today.

I'm pretty sure if you were consistently pointed out as the "Woman" of the relationship for an arbitrary reason you'd be angry too.

[♦Assiduus Victoria♦]

I say wife.

I can't say I have a problem with 'partner' though.

Her indoors, the ball and chain or any other such derisory moniker is something I can't abide however.

[Sphere]

I prefer baby-momma myself. It's to the point.

[liamb109]

I call her my girlfriend and she calls me her boyfriend. Sure, it implies ownership but, we own each other, in a sort of metaphorical way.

[Dr. Croccer]

Pretty much the only straight people who use the term 'partner' to refer to themselves are unmarried couples that don't like to call their significant other 'my boy/girlfriend'.

[Trey]

Pretty much the only straight people who use the term 'partner' to refer to themselves are unmarried couples that don't like to call their significant other 'my boy/girlfriend'.

Basically this. You'll especially hear it with long term couple/those who live together, as married would be incorrect, and boyfriend/girlfriend could sound trivial.

[Copperknickers II]

I would always use 'partner' when asking about someone else, if you don't know whether they are married or not. Tbh, 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' sound a little childish and unserious. I'd prefer 'partner' for anyone over 30 in a long-term relationship.

[Lord of Lost Socks]

Pretty much what Knickers said.

[Armatus]

It's used in different contexts.

Partner can be used as buddy, pal, associate, co-worker, team mate

Life-partner is used for homosexuals.

Partner in crime is used by people on dating websites "looking for their partner in crime"

Partner someone you're paired up with for whatever reason.

A way to describe your mate if you're very close.

edit: also potna' as in 'bro'