Hi Page,
Since you’re a big word nerd, I thought you might be able to help me with a couple things.
I know that my partner’s other partner is my metamour. But what should I call my metamour’s other partner? Is there a word? If not, could you come up with one?
My other question is a multi-parter. Is compersion for NRE a thing? I swear it is. My partner just entered into a new relationship, and I’m so happy for him that I’m acting a little goofy. He even joked that maybe I’m more excited than he is about it all. Have you heard about this happening? And what would we call it? Because I like labels.
*
Yes! This is a great idea. Let’s make up some new words! #
Hmm… metamour’s partner… I have always used meta-meta or meta-metamour. Or just defaulted to meta and included the meta-metamours under that same umbrella.
The other thought I have would be to use another Greek prefix “tele” to mean “far” since “meta” means “beyond.” So maybe they could be called telemours. Yes, I quite like the sound of that.
And yes, getting a rush off a partner’s new relationship is absolutely a thing. I’ve experienced it myself, especially when my partner is super happy and/or the new metamour is a really, really cool person. Or even if I am going to inherit some rad new telemours (see what I did there?). But the question to me seems to be what we would name it…
Maybe new relationship empathy? I like this because I really do feel fundamentally that compersion is just a very specific kind of empathy, an empathy that runs counter to our cultural expectations.
I suppose we could just use the old-fashioned NRE term, new relationship energy, for it as well since “energy” is a catch-all and nonspecific, but where’s the fun in that?
*
Have a question about a post? Maybe need some advice about a relationship or situation? Write me. I love getting messages from you.