I was checking my reeeaaally old email on Saturday, and I saw an interesting piece in a recent issue of Essence’s newsletter. It was about a 20-something woman and the fact that she’s not fond of the term wifey; according to the article, wifey is a man’s “main squeeze, long-term girlfriend, or woman who is almost ‘wife material.’” – i.e., not the wife.
The author goes on to give nine reasons why the word wife is better, and nine men give the reasons why. (I would post a link to the article, but it seems to have disappeared from the site). Well, I asked my bf if there was a difference in the terms for him (because I was curious), and he basically says, to him, the terms are synonymous. I guess the definition varies depending on the individual.
So, what do ya’ll think? Do the terms ‘wife’ and ‘wifey’ basically mean the same thing? Would you be/are you offended when your SO refers to you as wifey?
I look forward to reading your responses (especially the fellas). Have a great week ya’ll!
I personally don’t have an issue. My husband calls me wifey. Someone (a man) told me that because it’s my husband referring to me that way, “wifey” is a term of endearment. I guess the issue arises due to people who want the benefits of marriage without being married.
Didn’t wifey make it big after Next’s song? In the song they ask will you be my wifey (will you be my wife)? So in that sense it means the same thing. But I also know guys that call their main squeeze wifey although they are not married. In that case the two do not mean the same thing. It depends on the context used. My dad doesn’t call my mom wifey. My mom doesn’t use hubby either. Until I’m married I don’t want to be called wifey.
@Toni- I had forgotten about that part in the song, but yeah, most of the guys I know who use the term are using if for gf’s. I agree, it does depend on the context. But I also think a guy can call his gf ‘wifey’ and still want and intend to marry her. For some, it might just be a cute term.
@Sumayyah- For the most part, I’ve seen it as a term of endearment as well. I agree with the last part of your sentence…I guess it just depends on the relationship and where it’s heading…