Thursday, January 15, 2009

Partnering

The Land of Topiary hot-line rang tonight.

A long-time friend has a new addition in her life. After years of knowing everyone in her family, and everybody therein knowing their respective places, a new addition has arrived.

The friend's sister, (now deceased) had a child who was given up for adoption, who has now located the aunts and cousins of his birth family. Strangely, there is an Australian connection, since the young boy (American-born) was apparently stationed in Australia, met and fell in love with an Australian lady, and now has an Australian child.

Cow finds herself rather wistfully envious of having one's world rocked by a New Arrival. Just when you are bored with all your regular relatives, an exciting new stranger appears!

But to the point. This Aussie-American long-lost nephew/cousin, referred to his (wife?) as his "Partner." Cow and her friend are a little puzzled on this point.

Does Partner mean husband/wife, in a politically correct way, or is Partner a term which doesn't mean that at all these days, but means something (what?) totally different?

Enquiring Cows want to know, and trusts that given the deep intellect, far-ranging interests and geographic dispersal of her wondermous blog visitors, someone will kindly explain.

Moo!

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Suggests to me that they are not married, perhaps do not wish to be married, but, nevertheless, have chosen one another for now, or for however long forever lasts...

[Divorce gives one a "relationships are what they are until they aren't" perspective. The other possibility is a law firm thingie...]]

7:28 PM  
Blogger Gorilla Bananas said...

Yes, "partner" is the word used by couples living together out of wedlock. A married couple might use the word if they were politically very liberal.

1:59 AM  
Blogger From the Doghouse said...

Is that your friend in the picture? Wow!

6:52 AM  
Blogger linda said...

I agree with bigbouquet on this one. Probably in a defacto relationship and the words "girlfriend", "lover", and "defacto" just don't work.

Before I was married I used to introduce my now husband as my friend. The word "partner" had not been coined then and saying he was my "boyfriend" when he was 30 something sounded silly.

1:50 PM  
Blogger The Topiary Cow said...

Cow thanks everyone for enlightening her!

Doghouse, alas, that is not a friend, it is an Aussie and HIS partner (trying to keep relevant to the posting) by name of Alex O'Loughlin, who, after a film career in Australia, has landed on these shores to bring joy to the hearts of women everywhere. And his girlfriend, forget her name, but she's probably his "partner."

Moo!

3:33 PM  
Blogger Chunks of Reality said...

I would think it means not married but together in every way except by legal means.

I love how you write, by the way. You're a hoot. :)

1:06 AM  
Blogger Ultra Toast Mosha God said...

Listen to the gentleman Ape, for he is wise.

3:16 PM  
Blogger The Topiary Cow said...

Why, Chunks, how charming! (Cow modestly puffing out Topiary at her compliment)

Ultra: How good of you to stop by! It's always a pleasure to see you!

(Cow carefully listening to the wise Gorilla)

Moo!

8:31 AM  
Blogger Roz said...

why does cow refer to herself in 3rd person?

11:57 AM  

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