For someone who likes as few syllables as possible in the average sentence, I oddly am pleased as punch when people describe those they are with as their significant others.

A number were at last weekend’s Wiscasset High School Alumni Banquet. If I photographed two people and didn't already know their story, I needed to ask if they were spouses, relatives, classmates or other friends.

Outside those responses, I didn't hear back boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancee or the beautifully almost zero-syllable date. They were significant others, they said. Six syllables, all great, however, because the first word means so much.

We are living in a fast friend world. Witness Facebook and reality shows where contestants hug and cry when someone they have known weeks, days or hours is eliminated. Some tell the person they love them.

It’s a little sudden. But they are being kind and that is always a win-win.

Significant, though — that has class and clarity. If you are saying someone is significant to you, they are. Significant is not fast.

I don't hear people use the term significant other a lot, but it has lasted generations. According to merriam-webster.com, the first known use was in 1940, the year that also gave us disc jockey, fortune cookie, free world and hipster.

Congratulations, those in six-syllable relationships. Inside the words significant other are many other applicable ones, among them, enriching, finest, enchant, gift, great, niftiest and even Northeast.

May we all find our true north.