Why do men refer to their wives as "the wife" rather than "my wife"?

Question

I don't believe that I have ever heard a woman say "the husband".

Answer 1

Men are egotistical and they all want to seem macho!!!

Answer 2

THE "WIFE" THE "BOSS"

THATS HOW I LOOK AT IT.

Answer 3

He's now an ex but this isn't why...my ex used to refer to me as "the wife" and I hated it.  I felt like "the stove" or "the car" some material possession without feelings or personality, only a purpose.

Most men use it as a mark of possession especially around other men.  It seems like they use it more in resentment towards admitting that their wives are more in charge of something than they are.

The other expression about wives that I hate is calling your most loving "the ol' lady".  Yuck!  One thing that us women hate is growing old.  Why rub it in?

Answer 4

You heard that men never talk about feelings - well it is sorta true.

"the ball and chain" and other romantic phrases were made to conceal our true lovey dovey nature. **Blaaah* "Lovey dovey"  where's the soap - true feelings BAH.

P.S.

Don't tell anyone I told you about how romantic men are.  It's supposed to be a secret.

(Grunt scratch scratch grunt *f**t*)

Answer 5

Actually I refer to her as the light of my eyes !

I try to control myself in public !

It seems to make married couples ill ! Hmmmm

Answer 6

First he called me "the wife" now he can call me "the ex!"

Answer 7

it's about letting others know we still have control of ourselves.  if I say "my wife", it may telegraph that I can't speak for myself and I would need to run to her on everything.   If I say "the wife" it means I still speak for myself although I'm in a marriage.   Its an ego thing typically said to other men we talk to.

Answer 8

Really I don't know. I always referred to ''the wife'' as my wife, but now she is ''the ex'' because she up and ran off with my former best friend.

Answer 9

Because they never got that beer can crusher that attaches to the arm of the couch they always wanted so they have something productive to do while watching the football game.

I always say, keep the beer flowen and the TV goen and make sure he's always got a place to prop his feet.

Answer 10

I have heard women say to their husband "the boss."

When my husband and I were married, 32 years ago, I made sure that he would call me by my proper name............and vice-versa. I believe as a result, we have always had a  lot of respect for each other..

Answer 11

To make themselves look good to "the boys."

Answer 12

I do not know.

I am very much in LOVE with MY WIFE, and don't mind telling everyone about how Awesome she is, I am a very BLESSED MAN. We will Celebrate our 12th. Wedding Anniversary on September 07.

MINISTER

S.F.C.U.