<p>“My fat-one.” 
</p>
<p>I like that. Also, “mi vida (my life).”</p>
<p>Conyat,</p>
<p>“Mi vida” is nice, and is it used by both sexes when talking to their spouses. And I meant to write “mi gorda,” (not my gorda).</p>
<p>When food was more scarce maybe having one’s wife especially curvaceous was an indicator of wealth.</p>
<p>I had a male friend who always called his wife “honey”. He said that way, he never got mixed up by accidentally calling his wife by his girlfriend’s name. . . . .</p>
<p>I know a man who uses the phrase “my first wife, ----” when introducing her- it fits his character to do so, it’s fun when unknowing people give him a strange look, he’s still happily married to her, for 50 years or so by now; his first is his only… And he’s definitely pro women’s lib ideals.</p>
<p>As a woman physician who came of age during the women’s lib era circa the 70’s I have often fought the gender equality battles. I’m not offended by being referred to as my husband’s wife- we own each other’s marital status. Using a first name or the term my wife depends on the circumstances- usage being complimentary or derogatory depends on how the couple views it, it becomes a personal preference.</p>
<p>Several years ago, my husband was offered a transfer across the country. It was a difficult decision, but one the company made easier by also offering me a nice job at our destination. The problem was that many people already knew H from his previous assignment. I would be in meetings and I got tired of people asking, “Oh, are you Astrodad’s wife?” My answer was, “No, he’s my husband.” I always said it smilingly, but I got my point across.</p>