WaPo gift article - no paywall

  • @Sam_Bass
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    24 months ago

    Her old man may have threatened to beat her

    • @[email protected]
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      64 months ago

      Given the fact that he’s a staunch believer that women should stay in violent marriages instead of divorcing, you may be right.

      • @Sam_Bass
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        24 months ago

        No. “Old man” is an old colloquialism for spouse

        • tiredofsametab
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          34 months ago

          Huh. When did that happen? Etymonline isn’t helpful here. Maybe it’s regional or something? Thanks!

          • @Sam_Bass
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            4 months ago

            The term has been around since the 40s and 50s. As too regional no it was/is nationwide. More likely cultural. The youth of those days were more accuztomex to it than their parents

            • @WindyRebel
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              4 months ago

              Must be regional or something else because I’ve never heard “old man” used in any other context than as a father. I’ve lived in Florida and the west coast and traveled all over the US for context.

              “The ‘ol’ ball and chain” is used for spouse, unfortunately it’s usually used for women.

              • @Sam_Bass
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                14 months ago

                Guess you are just too young to have heard it since it began so long ago. Even been on television enough for most people to have heard it

                • @WindyRebel
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                  24 months ago

                  I’m in my 40s, so it must be quite an old thing.

                  • @Sam_Bass
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                    14 months ago

                    At that age you should have heard it at least once in your life. Dunno maybe the 20 year difference between us is enough to prevent that kind of exposure

          • @tamal3
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            4 months ago

            My old man
            He’s a singer in the park
            He’s a walker in the rain
            He’s a dancer in the dark
            We don’t need no piece of paper
            From the city hall
            Keeping us tied and true
            No, my old man
            Keeping away my blues