{"id":2811,"date":"2022-04-15T18:49:29","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T18:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=2811"},"modified":"2022-04-20T03:30:17","modified_gmt":"2022-04-20T03:30:17","slug":"better-half-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/better-half-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Better Half - Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"
Are you looking for a way to ask your friend why they didn\u2019t bring their partner to your cookout? If so, you could ask them where they left their \u201cbetter half.\u201d<\/em> This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n The expression \u201cbetter half<\/em>\u201d refers to your partner or spouse. It\u2019s a way of telling someone that you value their partner as much as them and that you\u2019ll treat them with respect when you meet them.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s common for people to use the phrase to refer to their wife in a heterosexual relationship. However, the saying can apply to any person in any relationship.<\/p>\n \u201cBetter half<\/em>\u201d can also apply to animals. For instance, a senior man who keeps his dog around for company. You can refer to anyone\u2019s companion as their \u201cbetter half<\/em>.\u201d It\u2019s not that you\u2019re saying they aren\u2019t worthy of being around you, but rather a means of showing respect to you and your partner.<\/p>\n \u201cGood of you to come, Jeff, but where\u2019s your better half? I was looking forward to introducing her to my wife tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for coming, Sally. We know you\u2019re really busy right now. Where is your better half, or did he have to stay home tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to see you, Jim. Where\u2019s your better half? I told everyone how I always confuse you with your twin brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi Kelly, it\u2019s a great morning out, don\u2019t you think? Where\u2019s your better half, Shadow? That dog follows you everywhere, and he\u2019s so cute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like to bring my better half with me. That way, everyone can see what a lucky guy I am. I don\u2019t deserve her.\u201d<\/p>\n The expression \u201cbetter half\u201d originates from two Roman poets, Statius and Horace. The duo were popular poets at the peak of the Roman empire, and they were the first to use the expression.<\/p>\n However, the initial use of the phrase was to describe a best friend, not a spouse or partner.<\/p>\n As the decades passed, people would start to use the expression to refer to their partner. The first appearance of the phrase in print comes from Sir Philip Sidney.<\/p>\n Sidney published \u201cThe Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia\u201d in 1580, where the phrase appears as follows.<\/p>\n \u201cMy deare, my better halfe (sayd hee) I find I must now leaue thee.\u201d<\/p>\nMeaning<\/h2>\n
Example Usage<\/h2>\n
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Origin<\/h2>\n