Do you address your significant other as "My" or "The"?

I've noticed that some posters refer to their husband, wife, girlfriend, fiance, etc. as "The wife", or "The boyfriend" as opposed to "My husband" or "My fiance".

It seems new to me. I've always refered to my significant other as "My wife" as opposed to "The wife". In my opinion using "My" shows the intimate commitment that I have made to my significant other and authenticates our union.

For those who choose to use either way of addressing their loved one, would you care to share why you choose to do so?

I don't think I can address my wife as the wife, but maybe this thread will convince me otherwise?

 

"The" - irreplaceable, not to mistaken for another of lesser quality.

"My" - denotes ownership.

Tongue in cheek - either are fine and neither are poor choice IMHO.

 

Would never refer to my wife as "the wife". She is my wife and that is how I refer to her in any posting, or real life conversations.

 

Depends whether she can hear me or not.

 

That's actually a really good answer. The respectful and proper way to treat your beloved is to refer to her as "MY Wife". There is a pride in having her and it shows a reverence and love for your partner.

When you replace "My" with "The" it turns her into an impersonal creature or object, which, in times of friendly joking with your homies may be called for. I'm not saying it's nice, but if you're all on an equal understanding and know that it's not really an indicator of bad feelings or anything, but just simple joking . . . well, that's okay in my book, and I have committed this act myself on occasion.

I think it makes "Wife" into something of terror and to be feared, like a villain in a movie . . . THE Boss, THE Monster, THE Beast . . . . . . The Wife. A good application would be when you've stayed out drinking too long with the dudes and your phone rings, "Oh, crap! I'm dead. It's THE WIFE!"

If someone was at a cocktail party or wedding or something motioned to his wife across the room and said, "That's the wife", he's probably a real cretin. And I don't think anyone should ever INTRODUCE his wife as "The Wife". If he does, those forthcoming swift kicks to the balls are well deserved.

 

Depends on who I'm talking to. The wife is only used in very informal speak with a friend.

 

sometimes i refer to her as my bride. that is good.

sometimes, usually with friends, i will call her my first wife...cause she is, for 30 years this summer!

 

In real life conversations she is "my wife". In forums, often as not she is SWMBO (She who must be obeyed)...

 

Context dependant. Something good = "My", something negative "The".

Examples:
-My wife and I are going to dinner to celebrate our anniversary.
-I just hit a nice run of cards and will now go buy some jewellery for my wife.

- If the wife finds out I've gotten into the chocolate cupboard again I'll never hear the end of it.
- I had too much to drink tonight, better stop for some food before returning home drunk to the wife.

 

When posting, she is referred to as Mrs T. I would never say/write "the wife". It just sounds derogatory to me.

 

Most blokes I know refer to her as "the wife" in the pub and "my wife" when she is with them. It's just how men talk with each other.

 

I call her Terri.

 

It's OK to use "the" when you stay at THEhotel. Everything there is "the".

I find it funny how the younger generation refer to each other as "males" and "females" instead of men and women or guys and girls. Like they're zoo animals.

 

hmmm i guess it would better to call her my b**** then the b****? j/k sweetie incase you read this

 

The sounds derogatory to me as well. I say my husband and my husband says my wifer lol (life sentence).

 

A great way out of this problem, as my experience has shown, is to call her THE EX-WIFE.

 

When saying "My" it does sound sort of possessive which can come across as offensive.

However, by definition the word "My" does not have to refer to possession.

From Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

 

Well, he's my husband, not yours. I'm ok on the grammar there:evillaugh

 

Married 31 years but I did laugh at that one.

 

I refer to him as “The Mister” a lot… (I am “The Mrs.” Of course)

Why is there not a full spelling for “Mrs.”??
Missus? Missis? Is that right?