I'm sorry, I got my definition all over you...

I haven't posted in a while due to injury. Enough said.

One of the most frustrating things about any interaction between two (or three, or four, or more) people is the natural urge we all have to Name The Relationship. Sociologially and psychologically this makes sense- it not only gives an immediate way to associate people that are in front of you or being talked about, but it also gives a fairly basic set of social rules with which to define how you interact with people. If someone is introduced as a "roommate" they'll probably be treated very differently than if they were introduced as "my pastor."

Sometimes this naming is easy - "this is my friend" or "this is my sister's husband."

Other times, it gets more complicated. For example: is there really a term for the man you've known for years and are close to, have always intended to sleep with, but still haven't, but might just do sometime?

Or what about the guy you only kind of know in Everyday Life, but in the kink/swingers groups hang out with constantly and have messed around with?

Or the woman you lived with, haven't messed around with, but have indirectly shared several partners (including exes, significant others, and one-night stands) with?

The point is, sometimes "friend" just doesn't cover it.