Why do people use the term "partner" instead of boyfriend, wife, etc?? (girlfriend, lesbian)

[Serenity2019]

I never understand this. It is very strange. Why say 'my partner' , instead of wife, husband, boyfriend, etc. It could be an animal or anything. What's up??

[Katnan]

The only people I've heard use it are those in LTR's who aren't married, or a few older people who think BF/GF is a juvenile term.

Why does it matter?

[Chowhound]

Partner to me sounds like a gay relationship. I guess straight people say it too. Whatever. I can see people in a LTR saying it. We usually say SO sounds a little less like a business relationship that partner sorta sounds like.

Whatever works for others. I have bigger fish to fry than worry about these sorta things.

[oh-eve]

I find it very odd when people say "BOYfriend" or "GIRLfriend" when that person is older than 40.

[Serenity2019]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

Partner to me sounds like a gay relationship. I guess straight people say it too. Whatever. I can see people in a LTR saying it. We usually say SO sounds a little less like a business relationship that partner sorta sounds like.

Whatever works for others. I have bigger fish to fry than worry about these sorta things.

Well, I don't really care either, I just always wonder when a person write partner when they are seeking advice, you don't really know what they mean. My hunch is like you said, the person is gay.

[GeoffD]

Before gay marriage, "my partner" in my circle of friends typically meant a gay or lesbian significant other. Now that gay marriage is the norm, it's mostly lost that meaning and just means LTR.

[MurrayMoe10]

I agree with above. Why does it matter?

When I've been in a serious, cohabitating relationship, I'm not going to call him my "boyfriend" because it's way more than that. We share a life. We make major decisions together.

[DefiantNJ]

Originally Posted by oh-eve

I find it very odd when people say "BOYfriend" or "GIRLfriend" when that person is older than 40.

That is the only reason to say partner. I guess we could also say "companion" but that has negative connotations.

[rego00123]

I'll use partner or wife in professional settings depending on what or who it is I am answering to.

Context is important.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Everyone I work with gay and married still refers to as partner.