[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