different between cobber vs boyfriend

English

Etymology

Origin unknown. Perhaps from Yiddish ????? (khaver, “comrade”), which is borrowed from Hebrew ???? (khavér, “friend”), or, perhaps from the British dialectal term cob (“take a liking to”).. The suggestion that it is a self-referential collective term for convicts and immigrants who departed for Australian shores from the Irish port of Cobh seems chronologically unlikely.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k?b.?(?)/
• Rhymes: -?b?(?)

Noun

cobber (plural cobbers)

1. (Australia) A pal, buddy, mate, friend; often used in direct address by one male to another.

   What's up, cobber?

   G'day cobber!

   • 1953, Nevil Shute, In the Wet, 2010, unnumbered page,

     “He?s a good cobber, even if he is the parson,” he said at last. “He?s a good cobber.”

     “That?s right,” said Jim patiently. “He?s a good cobber, and he?s the parson. Now you buzz off and leave him be. We?ve got business to talk here.”
2. (Australia) A sweet consisting of a small block of hard caramel covered in chocolate.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:friend

Translations

References

1. Australian National Dictionary Centre » Meanings and origins of Australian words and idioms » C

English

Alternative forms

• boy friend (dated)
• boy-friend (dated)

Etymology

From boy +? friend.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?b???f??nd/, /?b??f??nd/

Noun

boyfriend (plural boyfriends)

1. A male partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.

   Coordinate terms: fiancé, girlfriend, husband, lover, significant other
2. A male friend.

   Synonyms: (slang) guyfriend, buddy, pal, mate; see also Thesaurus:friend

Usage notes

In contrast to its female equivalent, girlfriend, which is also often used to describe a woman's close female friends, the term is not that often used in reference to non-romantic relationships. Boyfriend is a relatively modern term, and in the past has had implications of an illicit relationship (as sexual and romantic relationships outside marriage were more commonly frowned upon). It is now a generally accepted term and has no negative implications per se.

An adult man in a non-marital relationship is sometimes referred to instead as a significant other or partner, especially if the two partners are living together. Because boyfriend and partner mean different things to different people, the distinctions between the terms are subjective, and which term is used in a relationship will ultimately be determined by personal preference.

Separating the word into its two components boy friend avoids the romantic implication nowadays, although boy friend used to mean the same as boyfriend does now. However, British and Australian men usually refer to a male friend as a mate. Similarly, Americans and Canadians use the term buddy.

Derived terms

• boyfriendable

Descendants

• ? Hindi: ?????????? (b?yfre??)
• ? Japanese: ??????? (b?ifurendo)
• ? Korean: ????? (boipeurendeu)
• ? Russian: ????????? (bojfr??nd)
• ? Urdu: ??????????? (bayfren?)

Translations

Anagrams

• friend boy, friendboy

Finnish

Noun

boyfriend

1. (rare) boyfriend

Declension

Synonyms

• poikakaveri
• poikaystävä