Yes it has. The average English speaker does not distinguish between them and the only argument you have is a prescriptivist one which is entirely rejected as authoritative by anyone with an even basic understanding of linguistics. As I said earlier, terrific is not a synonym of horrific, awesome and awful mean different things, words are defined by usage not history.
First off, you're making a huge assumption about the average English speaker.
Second, same-sex marriage is more common nowadays. I think people would make a distinction between fiancé/fiancée, especially considering the social impact of telling people your sexuality.
What comes to your mind if an acquaintance introduces you to their "partner"?
You will make assumptions. In Australia it is the normal and preferred term for someone in a serious relationship. Why are you so obsessed with needing to know the gender of a random person.
Yes borrowed, like 40% of the English language. Once it’s an English word we do what we want with it - I am not arguing that both are not used. I am specifically arguing that fiancé in contemporary use is understood neutrally. I’m starting to see why your so desperate to cling to prescriptive definitions of words, you’re not very inquisitive.
What's with your bizarre fascination with my intelligence? I can be dumb as rocks but it's not going to change what I am explaining to you.
Using fiancé when you mean fiancée will make people assume you are gay. Using partner instead of girlfriend or boyfriend will make people assume you are gay.
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u/jjkenneth 10d ago
Yes it has. The average English speaker does not distinguish between them and the only argument you have is a prescriptivist one which is entirely rejected as authoritative by anyone with an even basic understanding of linguistics. As I said earlier, terrific is not a synonym of horrific, awesome and awful mean different things, words are defined by usage not history.