Is "aunt-in-law" a thing?

[Recursion]

I mean, does a random DU'er understand what I mean by those three words?

My wife is Bengali where there are words for "aunt-in-law" (on either side of the family, based on whether they are older or younger than your relevant parent). I'm just curious if that phrase makes sense to people.

[Callalily]

1. I use terms like that

all the time. Also use grandmother-in-law, etc.

[pinboy3niner]

2. As long as you know it's not really a law, and she can't lock you up or anything

Not again, anyway.

[TuxedoKat]

3. "Shirt Tail Relatives"

I had never heard of this term until about 5 or 6 years ago when a similar question came up about cousins, how were a husband's cousins related to a wife and vice versa. When there is no obvious or blood relationship, very distant relationship or an honorary family member, the term used is a "shirt tail relative", as in the relationship is hanging on by a shirttail.

This was a fun thing to learn, being a genealogy enthusiast.

Here are some links describing same:

http://www.genealogy.com/rhonda102501.html

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-shi5.htm

Researching this again on the web though, after several years, it seems some people like to use the term in-law for these relations too: cousin-in-law, nephew-in-law, aunt-in-law, etc.

[malthaussen]

4. I can think of only one appropriate response:

-- Mal

[elleng]

5. Sure

[irisblue]

6. aunt of the heart

[OriginalGeek]

7. My wife and I call each others' relatives

by aunt and uncle and cousin . We know the "in-law" is implied but I've never heard anyone say it out loud. I even call my MIL mom.

But yes, to answer your second question - if you said "Aunt-in-law" I would know what you meant. I've just never heard anyone actually say it.

For demographic purposes I am 50 and was born in Florida, lived in the south all my life from FL to Maryland and out to Texas but MOSTLY lived in FL and TX. My wife was born and raised in Orlando and almost all of her dad's side come from FL or Georgia. Her mom is from Southern Indiana but has lived here in Orlando for over 60 years. Even visiting the relatives up north we still just call everyone aunt or uncle or cousin.

[WinkyDink]

8. No. Aunts and uncles are aunts and uncles, period.

[orleans]

12. oh, pishaw! what are you being so rigid about it for?

if they want an aunt-in-law, they should be able to have one!



now give them back the toy!

[Glorfindel]

9. Of course. But no one ever says it. It's just "aunt"

Remember the sister of Harry Potter's Uncle Vernon? The Minister of Magic called her Harry's aunt, even though she was only Harry's aunt's husband's sister. I had a beloved relative/friend I called "Aunt Cora," who was my mother's sister's husband's sister-in-law. She lived to be 100 and loved to explain why I (and others) called her aunt.

[Wait Wut]

10. I call my husband's ex wife...

...my ex-wife-in-law, so I don't see why not.

[orleans]

13. that's cute! n/t p.s. do you get along with her? n/t

[DebJ]

14. Ha ha. I'm Facebook friend's with my husband's ex-wife.

Just met her last year. They've been divorced for well over 35 years though.

[pipi_k]

15. Life is always easier

when people get along with (or at least can be civil to) each others' exes.

Mr Pipi's ex in-laws (including ex wife and her two sisters, their spouses, and their mom) are regulars at family functions involving his daughters. We all get along fine.

In fact, this past April when the girls were planning a milestone surprise birthday party for their dad and were looking for my input on the guest list, I suggested that they invite their mom and aunts and uncles and grandmother, and they acted like I had just given them the best gift ever. They were afraid I would be offended if they invited their family. I said what the hell? They've been a part of his life just like anyone else...why would I be upset or offended?

Anyway, it pays to be civilized whenever possible

[Wait Wut]

17. Oh, yeah.

Freaks my husband out a little!

[DebJ]

18. Mine too. His old school friends got together two years ago, and his ex was there.

They were married for 7 years out of college, as hippies.

Divorced now as I said for decades. No children, either of them, with any spouse.

She was remarried.

He was a bit freaked out and uncomfortable.

I think it's funny.

We've been married ten years now and I'm sure I got the better ten years, not that it's been perfect.
But I'm sure he was wondering what she might say..........LOL

[Kber]

11. I think I get it

And I understand why such a title is helpful in some ways.

[pipi_k]

16. Makes sense to me n/t