On May 2, Trib columnist Dimitri Vassilaros referred to his wife as “my current wife” ( “Coffins, gallons and Kevin’s gall,” Opinion & Commentary ). I wondered — “my current wife” as opposed to what• Was he making a distinction between his “current wife” and his ex-wife or a future wife• Or are your writers “into” adjectives in reference to significant others? I had a colleague who introduced her husband as her “first husband.” Everyone thought it was humorous except her husband. Using adjectives can indeed explain the situation without additional explanations. How about “my probationary husband” or “my thrice-divorced wife”• Or “my faithless fiance” or “my lackluster lover”? Or is it simply a way to be forthright and also tacky? Mary M. Shirey Ross

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