Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas 
I use it with some frequency. I'm not married but have a baby with my GF. Sometimes I just don't want to say "girlfriend" because it sounds sort of diminutive, and our relationship is very serious, but for our own reasons, we're not presently married. "Partner" seems to be a nice middle word that conveys our situation without inviting too many awkward questions. Sometimes I'll still just call her my wife, though, when I really don't want any awkward questions.
I've been with my "partner" or "girlfriend" for two years now. I'm 50, she's 47, and "boyfriend" and "girlfriend," respectively, just don't feel right for us old folks. Sometimes I use "partner," sometimes I use "girlfriend," and yes sometimes each of us uses "wife" or "husband" just because it's easier and doesn't invite follow-up questions.
