What does the abbreviation POSSLQ stand for?

POSSLQ is an abbreviation for "person of opposite sex sharing living quarters." This term was used to describe individuals living together who were not married.

Who coined the term POSSLQ and when was it created?

The term POSSLQ was coined in the late 1970s by the United States Census Bureau.

What was the primary purpose behind the creation of the POSSLQ term by the U.S. Census Bureau?

The U.S. Census Bureau created the term POSSLQ as part of an initiative to more accurately measure the prevalence of cohabitation within American households.

How is the term POSSLQ pronounced according to the provided phonetic transcription?

The term POSSLQ is pronounced approximately as /pɒsəlˈkjuː/, with the primary stress on the final syllable, and the plural form is POSSLQs.

When did the term POSSLQ begin to be used more broadly in wider culture?

Following the 1980 United States Census, the term POSSLQ gained traction and became more widely used in general culture for a period.

What demographic trend prompted the U.S. Census Bureau to change its approach to measuring cohabitation?

Demographers observed an increasing frequency of cohabitation throughout the 1980s, which led the Census Bureau to revise its methods for data collection.

How did the U.S. Census Bureau's method for identifying cohabiting couples evolve after the 1980 Census?

Instead of relying on assumptions about "persons of opposite sex sharing living quarters," the Census Bureau began directly asking survey respondents if they were "unmarried partners."

In which U.S. Census was the category "unmarried partner" first introduced?

The category "unmarried partner" was first introduced in the 1990 United States Census.

When did the U.S. Census Bureau start incorporating the "unmarried partner" category into the Current Population Survey?

The "unmarried partner" category was incorporated into the monthly Current Population Survey starting in 1995.

By the late 1990s, what had happened to the general usage of the term POSSLQ?

By the late 1990s, the term POSSLQ had largely fallen out of common usage.

What term became more prevalent in general usage to describe unmarried partners by the late 1990s?

The term "significant other" replaced POSSLQ in general usage by the late 1990s.

What happened to the term POSSLQ's status by the late 1990s in terms of its usage?

By the late 1990s, POSSLQ had returned to being a specialized term primarily used by demographers.

Who is credited with composing a verse that features the term POSSLQ?

CBS commentator Charles Osgood composed a verse that includes the term POSSLQ.

What is the theme of the verse composed by Charles Osgood about POSSLQ?

The verse expresses a desire for someone to be a POSSLQ, stating, "There's nothing that I wouldn't do / If you would be my POSSLQ." It implies a close, shared living arrangement.

Who invented a cryptogram that, when solved, asked the question "Won't you be my POSSLQ?"

Elliot Sperber, the writer of The Hartford Courant's weekly cryptogram, invented a cryptogram that, when solved, revealed the phrase "Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Won't you be my POSSLQ?"

In which television program and episode did characters identify themselves using the term POSSLQ?

In the television show Cheers, specifically in episode 20 of season 5, characters Frasier Crane and Lilith Sternin described themselves as POSSLQs.

Which characters from the TV series Cheers referred to themselves as POSSLQs?

Frasier Crane and Lilith Sternin, characters from the television show Cheers, referred to themselves as POSSLQs in a specific episode.

What is the plural form of POSSLQ?

The plural form of POSSLQ is POSSLQs.

What is the short description provided for POSSLQ in the article?

The short description for POSSLQ is "United States census term for person of opposite sex sharing living quarters."

What kind of term is POSSLQ, according to its definition?

POSSLQ is an abbreviation or acronym.

What specific event or census is mentioned in relation to the term POSSLQ gaining currency in wider culture?

The term POSSLQ gained currency in wider culture after the 1980 United States Census.

What was the previous method used by the Census Bureau to count cohabitors before the introduction of the "unmarried partner" category?

The previous method involved a series of assumptions about "persons of opposite sex sharing living quarters."

What is the significance of the U.S. Census Bureau working paper mentioned in the external links?

The external links section references a U.S. Census Bureau working paper titled "How Does POSSLQ Measure Up? Historical Estimates of Cohabitation," authored by Lynne M. Casper, Philip N. Cohen, and Tavia Simmons, published in May 1999. This paper likely discusses the effectiveness and history of using terms like POSSLQ for demographic analysis.

What does the external link to Wiktionary offer regarding the term POSSLQ?

The external link to Wiktionary provides access to the free dictionary's definition and information for the term POSSLQ.

What does the IPA pronunciation indicate about the stress and vowel sounds in POSSLQ?

The IPA pronunciation /pɒsəlˈkjuː/ indicates that the primary stress falls on the final syllable, with a secondary stress on the first syllable, and specific vowel sounds for each part of the word.

What does the reference to "citation needed" next to the claim about POSSLQ's origin imply?

The "citation needed" tag suggests that while the article states the term was coined by the U.S. Census Bureau in the late 1970s, this specific claim requires supporting evidence from reliable sources to be fully verified within the context of Wikipedia's standards.

How did the term POSSLQ reflect changes in societal norms regarding relationships in the late 20th century?

The creation and subsequent evolution of the term POSSLQ reflect a societal shift where cohabitation outside of marriage became more common and needed to be statistically accounted for by government agencies like the Census Bureau.

What is the relationship between the term POSSLQ and the concept of cohabitation?

Cohabitation is the practice of living together as a couple without being married, and POSSLQ was a term developed by the U.S. Census Bureau specifically to identify and count individuals engaged in this practice.

What does the term "acronym" mean in the context of POSSLQ?

In the context of POSSLQ, "acronym" means that the word is formed from the initial letters of other words, in this case, "person of opposite sex sharing living quarters."

What does the phrase "gained currency in the wider culture" mean in relation to POSSLQ after the 1980 Census?

This phrase means that the term POSSLQ became more commonly known, used, and recognized by the general public and in everyday conversation after the 1980 Census.

What does it mean for a term to become "obsolete" in the context of the Census Bureau's methodology?

For the old method of counting cohabitors to become obsolete means that it was no longer used or necessary because a new, more direct method (asking about "unmarried partners") was implemented.

What is the significance of the term "significant other" replacing POSSLQ in common usage?

The shift from POSSLQ to "significant other" indicates a move towards more informal and less clinical language in everyday conversation to describe romantic partners living together, reflecting broader cultural changes in how such relationships are discussed.

What does the "See also" section suggest about the broader context of POSSLQ?

The "See also" section suggests that POSSLQ is related to broader societal and legal concepts such as cohabitation in the United States, common-law marriage, the definition of a family unit for census purposes, and the general term for a romantic partner, "significant other."

How did the U.S. Census Bureau's approach to data collection on household composition change over time regarding unmarried partners?

Initially, the Census Bureau used indirect methods and assumptions, like identifying POSSLQs, to estimate cohabitation. Later, they adopted a more direct approach by including the category "unmarried partner" in surveys, providing more precise data.

What does the inclusion of references like Dictionary.com, Oxford Dictionaries, and The American Heritage Dictionary indicate about the term POSSLQ?

The inclusion of these references suggests that POSSLQ is a recognized term that has been formally defined and documented in reputable dictionaries, indicating its establishment in the English language, even if its popular usage has waned.

What does the reference to the Los Angeles Times article from 1985 suggest about the term POSSLQ's visibility?

The reference to a 1985 Los Angeles Times article titled "Getting the Word Out The Time Is Right for 'POSSLQ'" indicates that the term was considered newsworthy and was being actively discussed and promoted in popular media during that period.

What does the reference to The Independent on Sunday article from 1998 suggest about the term POSSLQ's status at that time?

The reference to a 1998 The Independent on Sunday article discussing POSSLQ as an acronym suggests that the term was still being noted and analyzed in the press, even as its general usage was declining.

What is the significance of the term "acronym" versus "abbreviation" in the definition of POSSLQ?

The article notes POSSLQ can be considered either an abbreviation or an acronym. An abbreviation shortens a word or phrase, while an acronym is formed from initial letters and is typically pronounced as a word. POSSLQ fits both descriptions as it's formed from initial letters and pronounced as a word.

What does the article suggest about the cultural impact of the term POSSLQ?

The article suggests that POSSLQ had a notable, albeit temporary, cultural impact, being adopted into popular culture through commentary, poetry, and television shows, indicating it resonated with the public during its period of currency.

What does the phrase "specialized term for demographers" imply about POSSLQ's status in the late 1990s?

It implies that while the general public had largely stopped using POSSLQ, it remained a technical or professional term used within the field of demography for specific statistical or research purposes.

What does the reference to "Help:IPA/English" indicate?

This reference points to a Wikipedia help page that explains the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols used for English pronunciation, allowing readers to understand how the term POSSLQ is pronounced.

What does the reference to "Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key" indicate?

This reference points to a Wikipedia help page that provides a key for understanding pronunciation respellings, which are simplified phonetic representations used in dictionaries and encyclopedias.

What does the phrase "noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" signify in the text?

This phrase indicates a template used within Wikipedia to flag content that requires a citation or further verification from a reliable source.

What does the term "demography" relate to in the context of the POSSLQ article?

Demography relates to the study of populations, including their size, structure, and distribution, and how these change over time. The article discusses how demographers observed trends in cohabitation, influencing the Census Bureau's terminology.

What does the inclusion of a "See also" section imply about the scope of the POSSLQ article?

The "See also" section implies that the article on POSSLQ is connected to broader topics related to relationships, family structures, and census terminology, providing readers with avenues for further exploration.

What does the phrase "archived from the original" in the citations mean for the reliability of the source?

It means that a copy of the original source is preserved, ensuring that the information cited remains accessible and verifiable even if the original web page is later modified or removed.

What is the main difference between the U.S. Census Bureau's initial method for identifying cohabitors and its later method?

The initial method relied on inferring cohabitation through terms like POSSLQ, based on assumptions about shared living quarters. The later method directly asked respondents about their status as "unmarried partners," providing a more explicit measure.

What does the article suggest about the evolution of language used by official bodies like the U.S. Census Bureau?

The article suggests that official bodies adapt their language and terminology over time to reflect changing societal norms, demographics, and the need for more precise data collection, as seen in the shift from POSSLQ to "unmarried partner."

What does the reference to the U.S. Census Bureau working paper "How Does POSSLQ Measure Up?" suggest about the term's analysis?

This reference suggests that the effectiveness and historical application of the term POSSLQ in measuring cohabitation have been subjects of academic and governmental analysis.

What does the phrase "fell out of general usage" imply about the term POSSLQ?

It implies that the term POSSLQ was no longer commonly used or recognized by the general public in everyday conversation or media.

What does the article suggest about the longevity of the term POSSLQ in popular culture?

The article suggests that while POSSLQ had a period of popularity in wider culture after the 1980 Census, its usage was relatively short-lived, being replaced by other terms by the late 1990s.

Posslq Wiki: POSSLQ Unveiled: A Sociodemographic Exploration

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Defining POSSLQ

A Census Term for Cohabitation

POSSLQ, an acronym for "Person of Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters," emerged as a specialized term utilized by the United States Census Bureau. Its primary function was to categorize individuals residing together who were not married but shared a domestic arrangement, thereby providing a quantitative measure for the phenomenon of cohabitation in American households during the late 1970s and early 1980s.^[1]^[2]

Sociodemographic Significance

The introduction of POSSLQ reflected evolving societal norms and family structures. As cohabitation became more prevalent, traditional census categories needed refinement. This term allowed demographers to track non-marital relationship formations, offering insights into changing patterns of domestic partnerships and household composition beyond the nuclear family model.^[3]

Pronunciation and Etymology

The acronym is pronounced /ˈpɒs.əl.kjuː/ (POSS-əl-kew).^[1] While often treated as an acronym, its structure suggests it may have been coined with a phonetic pronunciation in mind, potentially to lend it a more distinct identity within demographic discourse.^[2]

The Genesis of POSSLQ

Census Bureau Innovation

The term POSSLQ was developed by the U.S. Census Bureau in the late 1970s as part of a methodological effort to accurately capture the increasing prevalence of unmarried couples living together. Prior to this, identifying such households relied on assumptions and indirect methods.^[3] The Bureau sought a standardized way to enumerate these relationships, which were becoming a significant demographic trend.

Tracking Cohabitation Trends

The 1980 United States Census marked a pivotal point where the Bureau began collecting data using this new terminology. This initiative aimed to provide empirical data on the extent of cohabitation, distinguishing it from formal marriage and other household arrangements. The data collected offered valuable insights into the changing landscape of intimate relationships and family formation in the United States.^[4]

Evolution of Terminology

From Academia to Popular Culture

Following the 1980 Census, the term POSSLQ gained traction beyond academic circles, entering wider cultural usage for a period. Its distinctiveness and slightly clinical origin made it a notable, albeit temporary, descriptor for a growing social phenomenon.^[4]

Transition to 'Unmarried Partners'

As demographic research advanced and societal understanding evolved, the Census Bureau refined its terminology. By the 1990 Census, the category "unmarried partners" was introduced, offering a more direct and inclusive description. This shift rendered the POSSLQ designation largely obsolete in official data collection, moving towards more contemporary and less ambiguous terminology.^[5] By the late 1990s, POSSLQ had largely fallen out of common parlance, replaced by terms like "significant other."^[5]

Cultural Resonance

Charles Osgood's Verse

The term found its way into popular culture, notably through a verse composed by CBS commentator Charles Osgood. His lyrical exploration captured the essence of the term in a relatable, albeit romanticized, context:

"There's nothing that I wouldn't do
If you would be my POSSLQ
You live with me and I with you,
And you will be my POSSLQ.
I'll be your friend and so much more;
That's what a POSSLQ is for."^[6]

Television and Cryptograms

POSSLQ also appeared in other cultural contexts. Elliot Sperber, a cryptogram creator for The Hartford Courant, incorporated the term into a puzzle. Furthermore, the popular television sitcom Cheers featured the term in a 1987 episode, where characters Frasier Crane and Lilith Sternin identified themselves as POSSLQs, reflecting its contemporary recognition.^[7]

Related Concepts

Cohabitation

POSSLQ is intrinsically linked to the concept of cohabitation—the state of two people living together in a sexual relationship without being married. This arrangement has become increasingly common and accepted across many societies, representing a significant shift from traditional family structures.

Legal and Social Definitions

Related terms include "common-law marriage," a legal status recognized in some jurisdictions where couples are considered married without a formal ceremony, and "significant other," a broader, more personal term for a romantic partner. The U.S. Census Bureau's category "unmarried partners" serves as the modern successor to POSSLQ, reflecting a more inclusive approach to relationship status in official data.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the POSSLQ Wikipedia page

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This document has been generated by an advanced AI model, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended strictly for educational and informational purposes, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview suitable for higher education students.

This is not professional sociological or demographic advice. The content presented here should not substitute consultation with qualified experts in sociology, demography, or census methodology. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the AI cannot guarantee the absolute completeness, timeliness, or error-free nature of the information. Always consult primary sources and expert analysis for critical research or decision-making.

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POSSLQ Unveiled

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining POSSLQ ℹ️

👤 A Census Term for Cohabitation

📊 Sociodemographic Significance

🗣️ Pronunciation and Etymology

The Genesis of POSSLQ 📜

🏛️ Census Bureau Innovation

📈 Tracking Cohabitation Trends

Evolution of Terminology ⏳

💬 From Academia to Popular Culture

➡️ Transition to 'Unmarried Partners'

Cultural Resonance 🎭

🎤 Charles Osgood's Verse

📺 Television and Cryptograms

Related Concepts 🔗

🏠 Cohabitation

⚖️ Legal and Social Definitions

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References

📜 References

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Academic Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice Regarding Content

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining POSSLQ

A Census Term for Cohabitation

Sociodemographic Significance

Pronunciation and Etymology

The Genesis of POSSLQ

Census Bureau Innovation

Tracking Cohabitation Trends

Evolution of Terminology

From Academia to Popular Culture

Transition to 'Unmarried Partners'

Cultural Resonance

Charles Osgood's Verse

Television and Cryptograms

Related Concepts

Cohabitation

Legal and Social Definitions

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Content