1423
Good clock! (lemmy.world)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Ross_audio@lemmy.world 29 points 9 months ago

Like it or not "the wife" was a change in language seen as progressive not too long ago because it recognises that a man doesn't own a woman.

What would you prefer "my wife" implying ownership. "A wife" implying a non specific wife of anyone.

Or they name them on social media to avoid mentioning their marital status and ignoring their relationship to them.

I'm genuinely curious how this person should, in your view, refer to the person they've married.

[-] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 39 points 9 months ago

My wife is absolutely fine in my books. The same way you can say my friend or my acquaintance or what have you, you can say my spouse/wife/husband/whatever without implying any sort of ownership. My view might be skewed being an ESL, but the same applies to German, Russian, Ukrainian, French, for example, which I speak too. I've never heard people complaining over those usages

[-] Ross_audio@lemmy.world 15 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I say either my wife, or the wife is fine.

I've just stated the reason "the wife" exists at all is a reaction against historical patriarchal language.

I've heard different people complain about both and they were always insufferable people trying to nit pick the conversation into a boring place.

Like you!

[-] tfw_no_toiletpaper@feddit.de 32 points 9 months ago

"my dad"

I do not own him. Wtf is that argument?? It's not a descriptor of ownership but relation.

[-] InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works 22 points 9 months ago

"No he can't be YOUR dad, he's MY neighbor"
This whole thread's logic is whack.

[-] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 9 points 9 months ago

Right? It is almost like "my" is a word which denotes association as well as ownership. Naw that can't be right.

[-] teamevil@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

People are stupid and looking for reasons to be offended. Usually it means their opinions are to be ignored as they simply exist to argue about non issues.

[-] Ross_audio@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

I agree either my wife, or the wife is fine.

I've just stated the reason "the wife" exists at all is a reaction against historical patriarchal language.

[-] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip -3 points 9 months ago
[-] Ulvain@sh.itjust.works 32 points 9 months ago

"My" can, but certainly doesn't always imply ownership. It implies that the qualifier for person B in the sentence is applied to their relationship to me, person A.

My banker, my hairdresser, my dentist, my accountant, my contractor, my neighbor, my boss, my elected official, etc.

Probably not at all on you, here, but this is a good example of "exaggerated progressivism" or fake-woke/politically correct speech. It weakens the credibility of the progressive movement and gives conservatives silly exaggerations to point to and mock, when this kind of stuff emerges.

Just my 2 cents!

[-] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago

My banker, my hairdresser, my dentist, my accountant, my contractor, my neighbor, my boss, my elected official, etc.

Why do you have slaves? /s

[-] ThePantser@lemmy.world 29 points 9 months ago

I prefer the ole ball and chain. /s

[-] Gregorech@lemmy.world 18 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

The minister of war and finance.

[-] blipcast@lemmy.world 11 points 9 months ago

When I read "the wife", I read it as this. It feels impersonal, like you are intentionally distancing yourself from your spouse. Like, why would you do that unless you are literally Al Bundy?

[-] moody 11 points 9 months ago

The ole battle axe

[-] SatyrSack@lemmy.one 12 points 9 months ago

"My mother" = I own my mother

[-] Ross_audio@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

I agree either my wife, or the wife is fine.

I've just stated the reason "the wife" exists at all is a reaction against historical patriarchal language.

NO! Everyone MUST speak how I do at all times, or they're WRONG!

There's only one way to speak, and any linguistic deviation will be reported to the POLICE!

[-] indepndnt@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

That's why I speak exclusively in Sting lyrics.

[-] Syrc@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago
[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 10 points 9 months ago

I don't know if "my" always means owning the noun it could mean co-owning the relationship. If I say "my partner" or "my kids" or "my job" I don't think most people think I am a slave owner who somehow has an unbreakable contract with work.

this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2024
1423 points (99.4% liked)

Software Gore

4786 readers
5 users here now

Welcome to /c/SoftwareGore!


This is a community where you can poke fun at nasty software. This community is your go-to destination to look at the most cringe-worthy and facepalm-inducing moments of software gone wrong. Whether it's a user interface that defies all logic, a crash that leaves you in disbelief, silly bugs or glitches that make you go crazy, or an error message that feels like it was written by an unpaid intern, this is the place to see them all!

Remember to read the rules before you make a post or comment!


Community Rules - Click to expand


These rules are subject to change at any time with or without prior notice. (last updated: 7th December 2023 - Introduction of Rule 11 with one sub-rule prohibiting posting of AI content)


  1. This community is a part of the Lemmy.world instance. You must follow its Code of Conduct (https://mastodon.world/about).
  2. Please keep all discussions in English. This makes communication and moderation much easier.
  3. Only post content that's appropriate to this community. Inappropriate posts will be removed.
  4. NSFW content of any kind is not allowed in this community.
  5. Do not create duplicate posts or comments. Such duplicated content will be removed. This also includes spamming.
  6. Do not repost media that has already been posted in the last 30 days. Such reposts will be deleted. Non-original content and reposts from external websites are allowed.
  7. Absolutely no discussion regarding politics are allowed. There are plenty of other places to voice your opinions, but fights regarding your political opinion is the last thing needed in this community.
  8. Keep all discussions civil and lighthearted.
    • Do not promote harmful activities.
    • Don't be a bigot.
    • Hate speech, harassment or discrimination based on one's race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, beliefs or any other identity is strictly disallowed. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to discuss in this community.
  9. The moderators retain the right to remove any post or comment and ban users/bots that do not necessarily violate these rules if deemed necessary.
  10. At last, use common sense. If you think you shouldn't say something to a person in real life, then don't say it here.
  11. Community specific rules:
    • Posts that contain any AI-related content as the main focus (for example: AI “hallucinations”, repeated words or phrases, different than expected responses, etc.) will be removed. (polled)


You should also check out these awesome communities!


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS