Sir, - A "partner" is a cowboy's assistant, usually held in less esteem by the cowboy than his horse. The current use of this term in invitations is apparently an attempt to equate concubinage, "shack-ups" and even casual "dates" with marriage. I regard this as an insult to the dignity of matrimony in general and to my wife's and my own marriage vows in particular. Invitations so worded should be treated with contempt.
However, I am not really surprised at this use of euphemism in a society that is so decedent that is has declared, with the introduction of divorce, that as far as the temporal powers are concerned the solemn contract of marriage is of less import that - and the flouting of the marriage contract acquires less penalty than - a hire-purchase agreement for some shoddy consumer trinket. - Yours, etc., M. Salter,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.