Hi - I've noticed that men often (in Men's Corner and generally) use the expression "the wife" as in "I had a talk with the wife".. but women almost always use "my husband" instead. There's something not quite nice about calling your wife 'the wife', what do you think? I can't tell why it bothers me, it seems a bit contemptuous.
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"the wife"?
- Thread starter wandering stranger
- Start date
I agree with you. I guess it seems very impersonal and unconnected. Another thing that drives me crazy is when my husband calls a group of women "hens". Aggghhhh!
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Sascha Fitzpatrick
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I completely agree too...
Maybe it's in posts where they're cranky??? Sometimes when I'm cranky I always use - the girl, the guy, etc to depersonalise things...
Still - I'd prefer him to say 'my wife' - makes it more connected!
Sasch
Maybe it's in posts where they're cranky??? Sometimes when I'm cranky I always use - the girl, the guy, etc to depersonalise things...
Still - I'd prefer him to say 'my wife' - makes it more connected!
Sasch
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Jenna
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Yeah, I don't care for "the wife" either. I don't mind "the vacuum cleaner" or "the coffee pot", but women are not inanimate objects to be spoken of so carelessly. The only time that I've really run into those kind of references though were when I came across a group of guys who were getting too caught up in the macho caveman kind of mindset. Thank the Lord that it is the exception to the rule! lol 
Most guys that I talk to refer to their wife in a more personal manner, and in a more loving tone than 'the wife' implies.
Most guys that I talk to refer to their wife in a more personal manner, and in a more loving tone than 'the wife' implies.
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Okay...let's not get crazy about overanalyzing everything men say. My husband has referred to me as "the wife". He's not the only one I've heard use it as a term of endearment.
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Whitestone
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Just a thought but using the singular of the wife, I think implys that there will always, forever, and indefinitely be the only wife that husband has.
Whitestone
Whitestone
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boy, men would probably get it for saying "my wife" with the thought that it was showing some sort of ownership of an object. lol.
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merryheart
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Flipper said:I prefer "husband unit."
better yet... "The spousal unit" hehehe (I have even used that from time to time...)
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It's not a big deal to me. If the context of the statement reflects nastiness that would be another issue though (in which case the attitude and not the term "the wife" whould be the focus of my attention). But if he's just saying something like "I need to ask the wife what the plans for this weekend are" I don't see the need for getting undies in a bundle.
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Jenna
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You know, that doesn't bother me in the slightest. lol If I ever heard anyone use "the wife" in a positive and loving way, I don't think it would bother me either. Me, I must just be weird, but I don't get funky about possessiveness in my spouse. Then again, it may just be because I AM 'his', but just as much as he is MINE.
Heeheehee.....
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"the" is better than "a."
I also refer to her as "the better half." But tha'ts just cause it's true.
I also refer to her as "the better half." But tha'ts just cause it's true.
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Jenna
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Exactly, something is wrong with marriage. You wanna know what it is? WE'RE MESSING IT UP!! lol Marriage, as God intends, is a beautiful thing. However, many people (myself included) get too caught up in what the world has to say, and it makes it very difficult to have a happy and productive marriage. It is something that can be worked through though, so have faith. Through God, ALL things are possible, including a loving and edifying marriage.
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The wife doesnt bother me at all. at least hes letting people know he's married. what I hate is "the old lady" I told my hubby right from the start I dont like that phrase one bit. and so far so good. I have yet to hear him call me that.
everyones different.
-Jillian
everyones different.
-Jillian
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I don't really like it either, and I always give my hubby a hard time when he says it, but in a joking way of course.
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