Work Wifes and Husbands

CurlySue2017

I've heard the phrase - I think I heard it used when describing Phil Schofield and Holly Whatshername on This Morning.

Personally, I think it is disrespectful and if my partner (very long term so may aswell be husband ) started calling someone his "work wife" he very soon would not have a real wife (partner).....especially if they were texting and talking at weekends etc, which is our time to spend together.

panagia

Emily1968 wrote: »

Hi I had posted another forum about the fact that I believe my spouse may be cheating on me with his "work wife " , down now due to trolls.

I would be interested to know who has heard of a work spouse and if so do you agree or disagree that it is acceptable behaviour. I would like some genuine opinions. No more trolls thank you.

I've never heard of the term, so I googled it:

"Work spouse" is a phrase, mostly in American English, referring to a co-worker, usually of the opposite sex, with whom one shares a special relationship, having bonds similar to those of a marriage.

I am wondering what the last six words of that definition imply, to be honest.

(And for someone who's just joined the site to be flailing around calling people trolls is a bit odd, too, though I know you do get them on here.)

hazyjo

Phil & Kirstie say it about each other too (Location Location Location). I don't find it offensive of disrespectful. So long as you trust them. If there was something going on between them, it's not a term they'd likely be using in front of their OHs really is it. They're far more likely to keep their name out of conversation completely.

pelirocco

I worked in the civil service 30 odd years ago , There were quite a few married colleagues who had another realtionship going on during working hours and no one batted an eyelid ....all very odd

Mojisola

pelirocco wrote: »

I worked in the civil service 30 odd years ago , There were quite a few married colleagues who had another realtionship going on during working hours and no one batted an eyelid ....all very odd

But that was just plain and simple adultery - work spouses aren't in a relationship with each other.

Pollycat

Emily1968 wrote: »

Actually id like to hear more about this work spouse term to see if its more common than I first thought. The post on Americanism is interesting. I am going to speak to my husband again but it is really useful to get peoples views

Well, as I personally can't see what difference to the situation you appear to be in i.e. your husband is being secretive about messages on his phone and is spending a lot of his time texting a woman he works with in front of you knowing how common a specific term is, I don't think I can help.

I do know, however, that if I suspected my husband was having an affair, the least of my worries would be what term he used to refer to her.
Nor would I be interested what random strangers on t'internet knew or thought about a silly name he happened to refer to her by.

newuser86

It may help to speak to an expert rather than some random people on the internet. There was a guy on TV who you used to help couples in relationships when one thought the other was having an affair and he would do lie test results and DNA tests. Kyle something...

panagia

newuser86 wrote: »

It may help to speak to an expert rather than some random people on the internet. There was a guy on TV who you used to help couples in relationships when one thought the other was having an affair and he would do lie test results and DNA tests. Kyle something...

:rotfl: I flicked on the tv yesterday and that programme was on. Is it my imagination or is he looking very orange / suntanned these days?
Awful programme, anyway. No idea why people watch it, let alone go on it!

eschaton

He probably uses the term work wife but is looking for more.

You would be as well throwing in the towel now to allow him to do what he really wants to do.

Then you will be single for real.

Emily1968

CurlySue2017 wrote: »

I've heard the phrase - I think I heard it used when describing Phil Schofield and Holly Whatshername on This Morning.

Personally, I think it is disrespectful and if my partner (very long term so may aswell be husband ) started calling someone his "work wife" he very soon would not have a real wife (partner).....especially if they were texting and talking at weekends etc, which is our time to spend together.

Pollycat wrote: »

Well, as I personally can't see what difference to the situation you appear to be in i.e. your husband is being secretive about messages on his phone and is spending a lot of his time texting a woman he works with in front of you knowing how common a specific term is, I don't think I can help.

I do know, however, that if I suspected my husband was having an affair, the least of my worries would be what term he used to refer to her.
Nor would I be interested what random strangers on t'internet knew or thought about a silly name he happened to refer to her by.

well we all have our opinions, personally I do appreciate strangers opinion as it may give me ideas or different ways of dealing with a problem. Ultimately people around you close to a situation are emotionally attached some who and while at times that's fine but othertimes its better to have a strangers view . for example since posting I have learnt the term was an Americanism , that various Tv co presenters use the term as do sit coms and that opinion is split from your view that its just a silly name to others
like me who do find it disrespectful. All opinions much appreciated