I heard a girl yesterday refer to her boyfriend as "the boyfriend". To me, that's like saying "the janitor" or "the pharmacist" - it's a nameless person who fills a role and then is replaced. It conveys a sense of "this is the guy I guess I'm seeing and since I'm not really messing around with anyone else right now, he is, by default fulfilling the role some might refer to as a boyfriend".
I've never heard a guy say "the girlfriend" before. And I think saying "the fiance" would be a big no-no for either party! I know some men say "the wife" sometimes. I would hate to be "the boyfriend", it should always start with "my".
I'm sure you've hear "the woman". If you haven't, you're a LIAR!
Posted by: lesley at October 2, 2003 07:30 AMNo, I've never heard that. Have you?
Posted by: G at October 2, 2003 07:36 AMwhen dudes are trying to be all tough and cool. losers. ;)
Posted by: lesley at October 2, 2003 08:00 AMI say "The Missus" all the time. I use it when I'm refering to the role. Like, "Do you want to grab a beer after class?" "Sure... let me just check with the missus." But if I was refering to the person, I would use something else. Like, "Hello. May I help you?" "Yeah. I'm trying to by a present for my girlfriend."
In the first case, the act of checking in isn't necessary because Victoria is anal... it's just the courtesy that one extends to one's girlfriend. In the second case, I'm not looking for a generic girlfriend present. I'm looking for something for my specific girlfriend.
I'm an engineer.
Posted by: vivek at October 2, 2003 08:05 AM