My good lady wife......nooooo!!

Yes I get our lass as well . We're Geordie so I accept it as an endearment!

I wouldn't mind if DH called me the good lady wife especially as I'm going to Golf Captain next year it would be quite funny in those terms. He introduces me by my name.

My late husband always referred to me as his wife in official circumstances and seemed very proud to do so, at home or with friends of course he'd joke around, one of our friends refers to his wife as HQ, very apt. I've since seen a bloke who referred to me as pet, I can't begin to tell you how much it annoyed me, he didn't last mainly for that reason. I should have told him but my teeth we're grinding at the thought ... pet! ... grrr!

I agree with others that it may sound old fashioned and patronising...

Anyone remember the drama Minder in which Arfur Daley calls his wife;

''She who must be obeyed''.
Said with eyebrows raised in mock fear?
Now that I find funny.

Katek I think people are overthinking this. It's quite simple really - you don't like it so he should stop.

Sorry to perhaps disappoint you, NanKate, but I agree with you implicitly. I didn't mind what my husband called me, daft or otherwise because I knew it was always done with love and respect even in humorous times.

At least you’re not his ‘soulmate’. Ha! Hate that expression it sounds so twee.

She who must be obeyed originated with "Rumpole of the Bailey" I think. It always 'sounded' to me as if Rumpole feared his wife's social climbing more than anything.

Good post Griselda.

I'm just called " my wife", and occasionally, "the social secretary "! Nothing to complain about at all. But I wouldn't object to "good lady wife" provided it was meant humorously.

It is patronising. The word 'good' sounds like you know how to behave yourself. It's like being called 'sweet'.
Whether it is or isn't though, if you tell someone you don't like being called something, why would they keep doing it? Even if people don't like their name being shortened, most people don't do it if they know it isn't wanted.

Hmm, yes, a bit golf-clubby.
It makes me cringe to hear/read men who refer to their wives as 'THE wife', as in 'I've left the wife at home' or 'The wife's not with me tonight'. Wives are not objects.
Perhaps it's time to tell your H that you don't like being talked about or introduced in that way and it's sooo old fashioned.
I myself feel it has ever so slightly patronising overtones.

YES, I know that the OP referred to the phrase 'My dear lady wife'. I just failed to incorporate that into the first sentence...oops!

mine did the same despite many warnings kept on winding me up using it until I started introducing him as 'my first husband' .
Just wouldn't stop, he was, onto number 2 who wouldn't dare and adores me so blissfully happy...
Happy Valentines Day grandsnetters all, whether married, partnered or on your own !

There used to be/is a motormouth presenter on Ideal World named Mike X who always referred to his wife as 'The goddess'.
'I bought a set of these pans for the goddess'...blah blah. Sheesh!

Day Before we were married, I used to refer to Mr P as "my chap" as I agree, girlfriend/boyfriend isn't really on for mature couples!

Of course, that would still leave the problem as to how he could refer to you............

My DIL calls my son 'hubby'! Hate it! He has a name!

Arrgh damn auto correct! Should have been to Day6

Add Senior Management to the list. Sigh

I, and others in my position, were referred to as "the wife" on a job contract! I objected but it didn't do any good. I too hate the expression your DH uses, it sounds very pretentious and patronising. Also it is way out of date and makes him look very old. I think any term a husband uses in referring to his wife must be acceptable to her. Surely he loves you, so would he not want to make you happy? Why does he do something like this knowing it upsets you?

peaches50 Bless you! You included those of us on our own. That means a lot to me, thank you! Happy Valentines Day to you

Seems a bit old fashioned to me - if my DH said it I'd be laughing and asking 'Are you ok, dear?' lol

Katek You could ask him if he uses the term to differentiate his lady wife from another wife? Perhaps a gentleman wife? Or maybe you are his good wife and somewhere, stashed away, he has a bad wife?

My brother used to introduce me to his friends as ‘this is my sister. Sorry’.

I've just thought of something my husband says when arguing with a woman on the radio - he says such &such "lady". Which I've told him is very patronising.

I'd love to be called that! I think it's so respectful and loving too.