I had a discussion with a girl in work earlier about using the word "partner" when i am referring to my girlfriend. now... she's technically my fiancee and all that, yes, but it feels rather bumsniffing to call her that all the time - see also people who call their other half "the wife" or what ever.

i use partner because boyfriend and girlfriend just seems to holding-hands-third-base rather than life partner, no?

/george foreman.