Monday, December 8, 2008

How odd.

So on my way home this evening, I stopped at Davanni's to get a pizza. While waiting for said pizza, I passed the time scanning the Strib & came across this article. The thing that caught my attention was that in the paper copy, the subheadline said "...his common law wife said." Now, why on earth was it necessary to point that out? Perhaps some of my more literary friends who read this can unboggle my feeble, Indiana-edjamakated mind.

** Note that the online article called her "his girlfriend".

Ah well. Other than this random observation, not a whole lot going on. Turkey Day was good, the day after fun, the Hubby's mother is insane, but all in all it was a pretty good start to the "holiday season". Onward toward Christmas!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Not sure I can help much, but I know that in MN if you've lived with your significant other for 7 (I think) or more years, it's considered a common law marriage. So you didn't officially get married with a license and JP/Priest/etc, but you're considered married in the eyes of the state. Something along these lines, anyway.

So I guess she's both his girlfriend and common law wife? Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Nik said...

I think that's the law. What struck me as odd was the way that the headline in the "hard copy" version made a point to call her a "common law" wife, not a "wife". What difference does it make? Does the fact that it's a common law marriage mean that she loves him any less than if they were married by a priest/shaman/judge?

That was my whole issue. :)

Jerry said...

Honestly I would say that it means she loves him completely without labels or the ability to take half in a divorce. Correct me if I am wrong.

Jason said...

It's a class thing. They're unwealthy and black. Therefore, they have these strange labels put on them.

Presto changeo, they're the "other."

Jim said...

I think it has to do with the required/limited space in newspapers compared to the unlimited space online. I know headlines work like that, which is why you get some fucked up headlines.