Meaning
What does Metamour mean?
Metamour is a term that has gained popularity in recent years within the polyamorous community. It refers to someone’s partner’s partner, who is not romantically or sexually involved with oneself. If your “Metamour” also has different relationships and “Metamours” or their own, they this intertwined relationship is called a Polycule.
Let’s break it down with an example, shall we? Imagine you and your partner, Alice, are in a non-monogamous relationship. Alice has another partner named Bob. Now, Bob would be your “Metamour”. You might not be involved with Bob in any romantic or sexual way, but you are connected through Alice. Think of it as being in a relationship with your partner’s partner, indirectly linking you to them.
Essentially, having a “Metamour” means making space in your heart for your partner’s other significant relationships, and recognizing and accepting that they play an important role in your partner’s life.
Origin
What's the origin of Metamour?
The term “Metamour” was coined by the polyamorous community as a way to describe this unique relationship dynamic. It originated from the combination of the Greek prefix “meta-” meaning “beyond” or “after,” and the English word “amour” meaning “love.” So, when you put them together, metamour literally means ”beyond love” or “after love.”
While the concept of “Metamour” relationships has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the rise of the polyamory movement and the need for specific language within that community that the term gained widespread usage. Before the turn of the 2000s, a polyamorous relationship would have been labeled as being Cucked, however, the development of awareness and proper terms led to a more accepting and understanding attitude.
Spread & Usage
How did Metamour spread?
As polyamory gains visibility and more people embrace consensual non-monogamy, the term “Metamour” has spread beyond the confines of the poly community. It has seeped into popular culture, appearing in online forums, relationship advice columns, and even television shows.
With the internet serving as a platform for communities to come together and share their experiences and terminology, the use of the term ”Metamour” has grown exponentially in recent years. It has become a buzzword in conversations about open relationships and consensual non-monogamy.
So, the next time you find yourself navigating the complexities of non-monogamous relationships, don’t forget to embrace and appreciate your “Metamours”, because, let’s face it, they are an important part of your partner’s life.
External resources
- Medium – Managing Metamours in Polyamorous Relationships
- Google Books – Dealing with Difficult Metamours – Page Turner
- Poly.Land – Metamours: A Lot Like Sharing a Best Friend