Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[ahinton]

Hadn't thought of that, but YES. I assumed it means a husband and wife who are both claimed to be influential/important in some undefined way.

Indeed - the "undefined" (and perhaps undefinable) aspect of it being vital, methinks...

[french frank]

Cambridge dictionary says: "two people who are married to each other, or in a relationship with each other, and both have extremely successful careers, especially in politics or entertainment".

So show biz people (the actual coupling might vary regularly) and - do we have political power couples over here? Perhaps Blair and Booth (indicated by the fact that she was known by her own surname).

[kernelbogey]

....do we have political power couples over here? ...

Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper (back in the day)?

[ahinton]

Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper (back in the day)?

Neil and Christine Hamilton?(!)...

[french frank]

Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper (back in the day)?

Neil and Christine Hamilton?(!)...

Oh, yes, fair enough. Still they don't quite have the resonance of Katie Derham and, er …

[cloughie]

Oh, yes, fair enough. Still they don't quite have the resonance of Katie Derham and, er …

...and isn’t Amber Rudd’s partner an MP too!

[cloughie]

A

"Power couple" . Katie was described yesterday as "one half of a power couple", as Clemmy has been. What does it mean? Various BBC presenters, sportspeople, etc. Power over whom, or to do what? A smugly annoying expression.

Have I missed something here? Who’s the other half? Her ego?

[ahinton]

Oh, yes, fair enough. Still they don't quite have the resonance of Katie Derham and, er …

Quite!

[Richard Tarleton]

A
Have I missed something here? Who’s the other half? Her ego?

I'd have to get it out of the recycling . Restauranteur or some such. I'm sure he's perfectly admirable, it's the term that's annoying, and meaningless. I could provide more examples, but should probably stop now.

[LMcD]

Virginia and Sir Peter Bottomley

[Richard Tarleton]

Virginia and Sir Peter Bottomley

At least they (like Cooper/Balls) are people who actually did something that could be described as useful - I'm really thinking of the people who are largely media constructs to whom the term is applied. Google "power couples" and you'll see what I mean.

I took Sir PB birdwatching once (in the line of duty) over 30 years ago, and excellent company he was.

[Serial_Apologist]

...and isn’t Amber Rudd’s partner an MP too!

Part of a threesome? Green/Amber/Rudd; Rudd & Amber, and back to Green - etc etc.

[Zucchini]

Have I missed something here? Who’s the other half? Her ego?

Yet another cheap, stupid comment from the For3 Care Home. Her other half, John Vincent, is co-founder partner (with Henry Dimbleby) of Leon restaurants. It turns over about £50 million a year.

PS You're as bad as French frank

[french frank]

Yet another cheap, stupid comment from the For3 Care Home.

You're just visiting, I suppose. Who's the lucky inmate?

[cloughie]

Yet another cheap, stupid comment from the For3 Care Home. Her other half, John Vincent, is co-founder partner (with Henry Dimbleby) of Leon restaurants. It turns over about £50 million a year.

PS You're as bad as French frank

I can live with that - I was asking a question I had no clue who Mr Vincent was so thank you for the information. I would be grateful for a little more politeness when you drift in and out of these boards!