AI gave this fascinating article:
The term "bidey-in" (also spelled bidie-in, bide in, or bidie-ins) is a Scots word used to describe a person who lives with their partner in a non-marital relationship.
It refers to someone with whom one shares a home without being legally married, often implying a committed, long-term cohabiting partnership.
The word originates from the Scots verb "bide," meaning to remain, stay, or reside, and the term "bidey-in" literally means "one who stays in" with another person.
Historically, the term carried connotations of scandal or immorality, particularly in the past when cohabitation outside of marriage was less socially accepted.
It was sometimes used to describe a live-in lover or a common-law spouse, and could be associated with a mistress or someone involved in a relationship outside of marriage.
However, its meaning has evolved, and in contemporary usage, it is often seen as a neutral or even affectionate term to describe a committed cohabiting partner.
The term is considered non-gender-specific and is sometimes preferred over modern terms like "partner" or "significant other," which some find ambiguous or overly formal.
Advocates of "bidey-in" appreciate its specificity and homely connotation, feeling it better captures the essence of a shared household and intimate relationship.
Despite its Scottish roots, the term is recognized in broader English dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary, which first recorded it in 1916.
The term has also been noted in various media and personal blogs, where it is used to describe relationships in Scotland, often with a sense of cultural pride or nostalgia.
Some individuals find the term offensive due to its historical associations with immorality, while others embrace it as a meaningful and intimate descriptor of their relationship.
Zaph
