[skyguy79]

If I'm talking to someone about "my wife" or they don't know her or know her well, then I use the term "my wife" or "my wife Eileen." After all, if she's not "my wife" then whose wife is she?
If I'm talking to someone who knows my wife, then I call her Eileen but only because... well, that's her name!

As for "the wife," I don't see any big deal about that or think there is any negative motive behind it, but I don't think it's the best way of expressing a referrence to the wifey-poo!

[springfield illinois]

From the first day of our married life to this day I have called the woman of my life,,, "MY BRIDE" she is still like that to me,,, it is constant reminder to me that I am nothing without her! I let her know that, because of her,, we have what we have,, We both have worked all our lives, she is a great mom to our wonderful kids, and she is the main reason we will not become permant residents of the villages,,she takes care of her mother,, and when grandkids start coming it will be easier to move an oak tree out of Illinois than to get my wife to move for good away full time. More than once a day I let her know she is the "queen of my double wide" ,, and my bride,,,she can call me most anything she wants, because it is most likely the truth!

[l2ridehd]

I use "my bride", "soul mate", "sexy lady", "love of my life", "gorgeous lady", "better half", and a few others I will hold as personal.

[barb1191]

I don't find such semantics pejorative. "My husband" often refers to me as "the bride" and I really find that to be romantic. He will often sign his emails to me as "the groom."

To each his own.

[ilovetv]

Calling her "the wife" sounds like "the washer" or "the sink", but I don't think guys mean anything derogatory with it.

I think the first time I ever heard that was from Archie Bunker on All in the Family. I don't recall ever hearing it in the midwest where I'm from. Sad to say, All in the Family would never have made it to broadcast if it came out today. Somebody, somewhere might be "offended".

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo;35***8

The worst would be to use the "O.L." phrase!!!! I've had some people refer to Sandy with the O.L. phrase at times..........and I always get them straightened out, politely of course. For most of the people who use that, it's just a figure of speech for them, it seems. They don't think anything of it.

Of course, they never have the nerve to bring up that phrase when she's present. She'd have them out back for the beating of their life if they did!! Ha-ha!

Bill

What is the "O.L." Phrase?

John

[champion6]

Originally Posted by jrheydt

What is the "O.L." Phrase?

That would be "Old Lady."

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by jrheydt

What is the "O.L." Phrase?

John

"Old Lady" - sorry. I detest it!

Bill

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

"Old Lady" - sorry. I detest it!

Bill

Bad as..."the old man"...which I also abhor.

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by BowleesCreekYachtClub;35***2

It's interesting that some men refer to their spouse as "my wife" and others as "the wife". I find the latter - "the wife" - somewhat derogatory as it is impersonal like "the car" or the "the house".

Actually I don't find this interesting at all , and THE WIFE doesn't either..........
Now where did I park THE CAR ??????

fumar...............

[hedoman]

"She who must be obeyed" doesn't like "the wife" either......

[linandvin]

SPRINGFIELD's post elicits feelings of warmth. "THE" wife seems cold and unattached. I vote for warm feelings when speaking of or to a spouse. "THE" wife or "THE" husband is unacceptable with us. Given a choice, I'd rather feel warm and fuzzy than wonder who he's talking about.

[2BNTV]

My old boss used to refer to "the wife" and the way he meant it, it sounded like she was the authority figure that he had to check with to do something. I thought it was derogatory and insulting the way he said it and I'm sure he thought he was being cute with the the guys.

"My wife " does sound like a possession but I can understand someone using the term "my wife" when talking to someone who doesn't know her and doesn't want to get personal with a stranger. I have also heard many women who used "my husband' as a non- personal type statement to someone they don't know. To someone who does know her, them he should use her name.

IMHO - In a non-personal situation, a better term would be to use "my spouse", indicating that you are equal partners in life and share what you have together but then, what do I know, I'm single.

[borjo]

Well, I have another phrase. When I'm meeting some of my husbands friends, my husband introduces me, with a smile on his face, of course, as his "present wife".

[silvertoken]

I love my wife because we can call each other goofy names and laugh about it. I never noticed her upset or me in the manner. I thank God for giving me a wife that appreciates my goofy ways. I dont think there is a day that goes by that we laugh about something we say or do. All I can say is if you beat them join in on the fun.