New Word Needed

The English language needs a new word.

I was listening to some story on NPR this morning. It was part 18 of a 20-part story about life on Cape Cod and how difficult it is for the poor and working-class.

I wish they'd pay one-TENTH as much attention to the poor and working-class in the rest of the country, but I'm sure it's hard for the media elite to empathize with us grubby commoners. Sorry, I'm in a cranky mood this morning.

Anyway, some guy they were interviewing was talking about how he's so lucky, he live on Cape Cod and he has great kids and a great girlfriend.

"WHAT?!?" I shouted mentally. Now, maybe those kids were from a previous marriage. But I'd bet not. And even if they were, there are lots of people who are, of course, having kids without getting married.

I'm old-fashioned, of course, but even I am not so old-fashioned as to condemn anyone for having children out of wedlock. But it seems to me that calling the mother of your children your "girlfriend" is just plain wrong.

So it's my conclusion that the English language needs a new word to denote a person you've reproduced with who is not, and never has been, your legal spouse. I hereby open the floor for suggestions.

New Word Needed

The English language needs a new word.

I was listening to some story on NPR this morning. It was part 18 of a 20-part story about life on Cape Cod and how difficult it is for the poor and working-class.

I wish they'd pay one-TENTH as much attention to the poor and working-class in the rest of the country, but I'm sure it's hard for the media elite to empathize with us grubby commoners. Sorry, I'm in a cranky mood this morning.

Anyway, some guy they were interviewing was talking about how he's so lucky, he live on Cape Cod and he has great kids and a great girlfriend.

"WHAT?!?" I shouted mentally. Now, maybe those kids were from a previous marriage. But I'd bet not. And even if they were, there are lots of people who are, of course, having kids without getting married.

I'm old-fashioned, of course, but even I am not so old-fashioned as to condemn anyone for having children out of wedlock. But it seems to me that calling the mother of your children your "girlfriend" is just plain wrong.

So it's my conclusion that the English language needs a new word to denote a person you've reproduced with who is not, and never has been, your legal spouse. I hereby open the floor for suggestions.

Graffiti

I was looking out the window of the train on my morning commute, and I saw something spray-painted under a bridge:

"ALL WOMEN ARE WHORES"

It surprised me, because it wasn't the usual illiterate gang scrawl. I found myself wondering who had wrote it, and what his story was.

Assuming, of course, that it was a man. If not, I expect that the story would be even more interesting!

Graffiti

I was looking out the window of the train on my morning commute, and I saw something spray-painted under a bridge:

"ALL WOMEN ARE WHORES"

It surprised me, because it wasn't the usual illiterate gang scrawl. I found myself wondering who had wrote it, and what his story was.

Assuming, of course, that it was a man. If not, I expect that the story would be even more interesting!