[lolinder]

Technically they never married, which is why the original article uses a bunch of other phrases to describe their relationship, but agreed that the change from "partner" to "lover" makes the title needlessly provocative. "Partner" was fine.

[teytra]

Since English is not my mother tounge, I looked it up.

Oxford actually has (as one of three definitions):

either member of a married couple or of an established unmarried couple. "she lived with her partner"

a person with whom one has sex; a lover. "make sure that you or your partner are using an effective method of contraception"

[lazyasciiart]

I’m guessing it was trying to distinguish between him and her previous business partners?

[aerhardt]

Yea I now see that, but what ever happened to the word “boyfriend”? It does the job and doesn’t sound like something out of 19th century literature or “clandestine” as a sibling commenter is saying.

I see the same thing happening in Spanish - no one can say “novio/a” anymore. Why?

[AlchemistCamp]

Strange. I don't think "lover" sounds illicit in any way, though maybe it suggests youth and romanticism.

[lolinder]

Definition 4a in Webster is "paramour", which is "an illicit or secret lover". It isn't the primary definition for sure, but in this context that's the vibe it gives off.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lover

[lolinder]

Yeah, so I get why it was attempted. It's likely they didn't realize that "lover" carries with it a sense of a clandestine or illicit relationship, especially in the kind of saucy story this already is by default.

[readthenotes1]

Well, her previous business partner & lover was a co-conspirator iirc (the CFO).

[AStonesThrow]

I am afraid that a few facts cannot be denied. The Wikipedia article details several things: that she was in some sort of clandestine romance with the co-founder, Ramesh Balwani. That she alleged sexual assault and abuse from him and other people in the course of her rise to notoriety. That she allegedly married Billy Evans and definitely had children by him, as well. That the most recent conception of her child may or may not have been a bargaining chip for her criminal trial. I don't know about other men, but to me, her photos indicate that she is extremely attractive, and seems to be into Steve Jobs type turtleneck chic, which is an interesting angle for the financial villain role she's assumed.

In light of all these facts, I, for one, would say that "partner" is an impoverished term to use in this headline, because what really does that signify? A business partner? Come on. There are obstacles here to clarity of terminology, due to the dubious nature of her legal marriage and such. But this is a woman who seems to have leveraged her sexuality to every advantage, as well as being taken advantage of in return. Not a good scene!

[AlchemistCamp]

Most times I've read "partner" the meaning has been "business partner", e.g. a cofounder or a partner in a law firm or agency, etc.

I've noticed a trend, especially in Commonwealth or European countries to use "partner" to mean "sexual partner" or "romantic partner". However, it's also used in business, sports and many other contexts. Just saying "partner" on its own is less clear than "lover".