I'm putting this out there because I believe I can't be the ONLY ONE to have felt this way. Okay, here's the deal: I hate the word "fiance."
Aaron and I were engaged for a year and we never got used to saying it. It just felt funny on my tongue and weird coming out of my mouth. Another one of those "this feels too fancy for me" things. (I swear, I must have some sort of insane anti-"fancy shit" complex. Is there a name for that? Okay, I'm getting off topic, reign it in Megs.)
It got to the point where I started to dread when I would have to introduce Aaron to someone new. There was always that moment where I thought that I'd be okay saying "my fiance" — I'd just grin and bear it, no big deal, people do it all the time, what the fuck was wrong with me — but when it came to that moment I'd just freeze. Then this kind of thing would happen all the time…
John: Hey Megs, have you met Wendy?
Me: No, I haven't. Hi Wendy, it's nice to meet you.
Wendy: Hi Megan, nice to meet you too.
Me: Wendy, this is my… (pause for inner conflict) …boyfriend, Aaron.
John: Wow, you're still fighting that word, aren't you?
Me: Yup.
I just couldn't bring myself to use the "F word." And it caused some confusion too, like, there were whisperings about whether or not we were still planning on getting married because Aaron and I just flat out refused to switch from saying boyfriend and girlfriend to saying fiance.
Aaron was the same way. From the moment we were engaged we talked about not wanting to use the word "fiance," but what are we to do!? There's no other term for it that didn't give us the wiggens; betrothed, intended, future spouse? Nope. Uh-uh. Too formal. But the fact remains that he's more than a "boyfriend" but he's not a "husband" yet.
To anyone who is freely and happily using that term — good on ya mate for that! I think people should be happy to, both, be and have a fiance. For the longest time I couldn't wait to be affianced. But once I was, I just couldn't bring myself to ACTUALLY use the word. I'm telling ya, sometimes I hate myself. 
So, here are some of the terms we finally came up with to use instead of "fiance." Feel free to use them as your own…
- "Marrying girlfriend" or "marrying boyfriend."
- "My future partner in crime," sometimes shorted to just "partner."
- "The one I caught"
- "The guy/girl who's making an honest girl/guy out of me"
- "The one who would have me, despite all the glaring flaws."
- "That guy/girl that I'm gonna marry."
- "Matrimonial candidate"
- Or, my favorite, introduce your partner in a french accent as in "Zees ees mah fee-yon-say."
Does anyone else feel the same way about the "F word?" If so, what terms do you use instead?
About Megan Finley
Megan Finley is the Managing Editor for Offbeat Bride and the Associate Publisher for the Offbeat Empire. When she's not slaving away for the Empire, she's sharing her dork side on her own blog and on Twitter @meganfinley.
Christine said
my boyfriend and I dated for 8 years before getting engaged, so "boyfriend" definitely was not appropriate for the seriousness of our relationship. My friend starting calling him my forever boyfriend, which I love. Now that we're engaged, he hates the word fiance, so he calls me his future wife.
Lalaith said
Once my current-f-word and I knew we were going to get married eventually, but before we were officially engaged, I really wanted a word to call him that was more than just "boyfriend" (I guess "beyonce" never occurred to me, though I don't think he'd go for that). So in trying to mix "boyfriend" and "husband", I came up with "boyband". Never called him that, but the thought of it amused me to no end
Shannon said
I could care less about the "F" word its my fiance that has taken a dislike to the word. I called him it once and we decided to change it to engagment buddy. He greatly approoves of this vs the alternative. I love calling him that and it catches a lot of people off guard
Zoe Kimbrell said
I know how you feel because I'm younger so when I say it everyone looks at me like "WHAT?!" I feel like I'm walking around with three heads they give me such crazy looks
eyeheartart said
I am so happy that i came across this post (and this website). Here I've been thinking that something is wrong with me because I am not wanting to make everything so "fussy". It's nice to know I am not the only one out there who cringes and the idea of the "F-word" among other things. My guy still thinks it's weird that I get a little uptight with all the yucky love crap. Our wedding vows should be pretty interesting (and oddly enough what i am dreading the most). i am uncomfortable with PDA along with everything else! lol. What the heck am i gonna do?!?!
Steve said
I think it's easier to label the relationship than the person. Rather than "This is Aaron, my fiance," go with "This is Aaron; we're engaged." Just my thoughts.
Lux said
Normally I just say "This is my Ryan"… I hate both boyfriend & fiance. Boyfriend is too middle school & fiance is too… "HI I'M GETTING MARRIED GUYS!!!!" Ick. I dislike labels like that as a general rule, so its easier to just introduce him as *my* Ryan.
HelenBesoe said
My husband and I just used "boyfriend"/"girlfriend" right up until the wedding. At some point hubby's dad started introducing me as his son's partner, rather than girlfriend. That happened even before we got engaged.
I'm relatively comfortable with introducing him as my husband now, but I have to admit, it still feels kind of weird to think of myself as a "wife".
But yeah, neither of us were really comfortable with the F word and we didn't really see the need, so we just skipped over it. Worked for us.
Christy said
I realize this is a bit late, but I wanted to chime in. I too have issues with the word "fiance." My partner (haha – see!) is not a native English speaker. When he proposed he got nervous and, instead of saying, "Will you marry me?" he said, "Will you be my Engagement Woman?" so… we go with that.
Hanna said
I'm late to the party, as usual! Skipped from page 1 to page 9, so I don't know if someone has perhaps mentioned it, but what about the term "soulmate"? That puts the serious spin on it, sounds sweet and spiritual and should, hopefully, stop most people from saying, "so, when are you getting married?" Most but not all, I'm sure (rolls eyes). Also, I've always loved the Spanish "Mi Corazon" but it may be not quite as serious sounding. Novia/novio sounds good, too. Don't know how that plays in Spanish/Latin societies. I definitely like soulmate or, heh heh, soulmate-to-be???
PersephoneTheophania said
I find it interesting that so many people dislike the word 'fiancé'. I actually dislike the word 'boyfriend'. I find that 'boyfriend' sounds so young, almost juvenile to me. Saying 'fiancé was a little strange (but good) at first, but to me it sounds like it carries expectation and responsibility towards each other, whereas I personally find that 'boyfriend' doesn't sound as committed. I've been with my partner for 8 years so far… he was my boyfriend for the first half of this time, and my fiancé for the second half. I've called him by both names – and now I'm looking forward to calling him my husband.
abi said
I refer to mine as my "husband elect" and he calls me "wife elect"
PersephoneTheophania said
I went to see my doctor the other day about some allergies, and I made a comment about my fiancé. He responded, referring to my fiancé as my 'intended'. I thought that was a little funny. I never really heard that before outside of book or movie. It sounds a little political maybe? I liked hearing that – I thought it sounded very respectful and mature coming a third party, but I wouldn't say that myself, as it sounds like I intend to marry my fiancé, but may jump at some other opportunity. Interesting.
Kelley said
My mom started calling him my fancy, instead of fiance, and my aunts all call him my husband, it's just easier. Since we had to push our date back 4 years, I called him my husband when necessary just to avoid the questions. Now we are in the home stretch, and since I just started a new job, I feel like I need to switch back to fiance, and explain the whole thing all over again. We have been engaged for 6 years…
Debbie4020 said
I have been using partner since I first met Grant (skipping the "boyfriend" word all together). Being poly, I generally use boyfriend, girlfriend and lover as words to describe the other people we are with. It doesn't work for everyone, but I really like the neatness of having a different word for everyone.
Since our engagement, I will sometimes use fiance(e) as a term, but it is still not totally natural. We are both queer, and in any traditional sense… I make a freaking USELESS "wife candidate". I find it silly. When I am not using partner, I will use "honey" or "life mate". (Some people find "mate" very baby forcing, but being English "mate" was just a word for closer friend…. So "life mate" is sort of a way of saying "closest friends for life".)
Wicked Jesteret said
I'm to use to boyfriend. i say "my boyfriend, fiance, thing" ….i'm a little special with words…. >_>
SaraBeth said
My future husband will be my second marriage. So. As tacky as it is I refer to him as "The husband I'm going to keep." Bwhahaha. <3
Sarah said
Oh my lord I have agonized so hard about this! The word "fiance" makes me want to puke. Especially since I live in Utah where getting married is a big fat hairy deal and calling your partner your fiance elevates you into being socially exalted and I hate that. I have no idea what to call us… It's hard because I want to stay true to our relationship but at the same time I want people to easily understand it. It's all so confusing. XP
Becky S. said
I understand 110%. My man & I have been engaged for well over 3 years now & the only times we have ever used the word "fiance" is in the work realm. We thought employers might think it was more stable than just a simple boyfriend-girlfriend fleeting romance…
Cherise Gootee said
I had a little trouble too to begin with. I had just really gotten comfortable with calling Daniel my boyfriend after a year and when it hit me we were fiance and fiancee, it was hard to switch, but I did it. About 5 months later we both found that saying husband and wife were easier because thats how we trated each other and it was gonna be anyway, so whatever. Everyone knew we werent married and knew the date, so they didnt argue with us.
kendall said
I don't dig partner…it makes my betrothed and I equals, which is great…but it makes me feel like we're not equals to cis/straight couples. I had surgery in December, and I made sure to give her a promise ring [I'm out of work and engagement rings have been picked out for months, and she's offered to pay for her own ring, but I think it'd be as rewarding and romantic to earn it myself] In the hospital, we had to deal with a really mean nurse when I got out of surgery, she let my mom in but not my girl, she told the staff that she was my partner, the nurse said "only one visitor at a time then" which is bunk because the woman beside me had like 4 people… When I said she was my fiancee they treated us like valid members of humanity, like we almost had legal standing. I'm a closeted transguy, but I'm dorkishly even more excited about the wedding than my wife to be. We've been friends for 8 years and I'd been 'jokingly' telling her for the past 3 years based on misguided notions of love from romantic comedies that I was marrying her by the time she was 30… We would plan our imaginary wedding as friends except she had no idea I was fully serious. No one except her really sees me as a man, so when she uses the neutral pronoun of fiance [spelling isn't picked up on verbally] it's such a blessing to know that she's able to secretly nod to my maleness and no one really has to know how we identify one way or another. Just your average queer straight couple really, with respect to her bi'ness. I find a lot of hang ups about language in general, I'm absolutely terrified of when we are actually married and I have to be her wife on paper… If you're female and married you're a wife, it's semantics. We're trying to think of simple ways to not have "I now pronounce you wife & wife you may now kiss..the bride? no no the other bride..eachother" because it would kill me… it would completely ruin my day to be called a bride or wife, I'm going to have to smile through it, but it's not what's in our hearts. And to have me do anything more masculine than wearing pants to our wedding will kill my mom, so it's a real toss up. I love fiance, it makes me feel like she doesn't have to out me and have people rub in my face that I'm female. It's not about being better than single/unmarried people or proving ourselves as a mature responsible valid couple… but it's one of the very few words she can use for me that doesn't hurt or feel like a lie.
Megan Finley said
"When I said she was my fiancee they treated us like valid members of humanity, like we almost had legal standing."
Interestingly enough, THAT'S how I ended up getting "engaged." Boyfriend ends up in the hospital while we're on vacation. My mother tells them that I'm his "fiance" and instantly I get an all-access pass — even get to spend the night with him. Long story short — the word spreads about the fiance thing, people start congratulating us, we decide that clearly the world is telling us something and decide to just stay engaged. But that's the moment I began my struggle with the F word. It never felt right. But I can totally see how it would be a blessing in your case — the same word no matter who you're referring too!
You can always choose not to have that "you may kiss the bride" moment. Think about creating your own ceremony from scratch, at end it with "you may now seal the deal with a kiss!"
kendall said
I wish that hospitals would let people be closer without legalities, I think if the sick person would want you there then you should be there, there are people I'm related to who would be the last people I'd want to see in an emergency and people who are just friend who would make me feel so much safer, I understand rules are rules but [cliche] I think often we pick our own people who matter to us and they're not always blood relatives to feel like family… sometimes just the simplest comforts helps you through it all, alternately, dealing with negative people [ie: witchy nurse] puts you in a worse headspace when you're already in your own personal battle.
I'm lucky to be in Canada, I still deal with a lot of closed minded people, but if I were in the bible belt or something it could be so much worse.
I do understand how not every transitional step in a relationship needs it's own label and that what fiance[e] means to one person might mean something else to another as far as the weight of the word itself, it's like, you're getting married but you're still who you are and once you're married you'll still be those same people, or whatever the situation is… but for me I like that it's neutral.
We're kind of, bitter in our own rights, we're silly and sarcastic… so we're thinking of something along the lines of "Welp, you're stuck with eachother now, so you might as well kiss"
We've had a hell of a year, I moved in October which was really fast in the relationship, but by the time we're married we'll have known eachother close to a decade, but the second day there while I was still unpacking she ended up with some nasty flu bug that was causing pneumonia or bronchitis or some such thing that was going around, which had her passing out and she was screaming for me to call an ambulance… I didn't even know our address yet, it was such a nightmare… I'd never really spoken to her parents but she was crying and asking me to call her dad, it was so awkward. 2nd Day living here… My mom offered to drive 45 mins into the city at 1am to keep us safe in a maternal way, and I told her I thought we'd be okay, and she told me Lindsay was lucky I was there, and that it was just kind of trial by fire, and we were going to just get the tough stuff out of the way early… So the "pssh, guess we're stuck with eachother now" is a literal "in sickness and in health, in richer and in poorer" Which with both of us being in the hospital in a 3 month span and me not working for a year, is pretty close to the truth.
I got a tattoo in honour of surviving this year, I'd never really had anywhere other than my parents place I called 'home' before, I've stayed in sketchy sketchy hostels in other parts of the country for months when I couldn't afford a real apartment, I've couch surfed for extended periods, I've had arrangements kind of fall through but I've never had a place that felt like mine, or felt safe, and I never had a key that I could have for keeps, and I remember how scared I was when I kept rejecting her housekey offers because it felt so fast, even though it was what I wanted, I didn't want it to mean more than she meant it as, I didn't want to get my hopes up if somehow things were more casual than I thought… So I have a key tattoo because this is the first time I've really had a changed definition of home…someone who knows all my secrets…who I don't try to push away and emotionally lock out… it sounds silly but I feel like I've got something good and I don't have to run so much now
Ryan said
I'm semi-engaged at the moment. I don't take issue with the word fiance, but since my guy wants to be a teacher, I call him my "Private Tutor." It's fun, and implies a teensy bit of naughtiness.
Lorna said
I say fiance, future husband or call him by his name. He says Beyonce.
Gangles said
I refer to my husband-to-be by his first name.
If it was good enough for his mum to call him that, it's good enough for me.