My Nigerian dad (in-law) has a daughter who is married to a congressman. He refers to her as "the one who is married to the congressman" instead of by her name.

Can someone explain this to me? Is this a common thing for a father to do?

If the husband is more 'important' or known or has a more visible social status, then yes, it may be done

It happens the other way as well - my son married to the vice-president's daughter, or such uses.

it is simply a way of referring to someone in a way that they'll be easily recognizable and nothing more.

@ poster
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amber_ella:

My Nigerian dad (in-law) has a daughter who is married to a congressman. He refers to her as "the one who is married to the congressman" instead of by her name.

Can someone explain this to me? Is this a common thing for a father to do?

theres no hidden meaning,its just nigerian english or miscontructed english.i doubt if the speakers implying anything,so dont get ur self wrked up for nothing

It is the way Nigerian society is socially constructed…….I have a story that anytime I remember it I laugh…,
It was women’s club’s monthly meeting and they usually have new members which allows for all members introduction again. There was this particular lady that loves to do shakara with the fact that her hubby is a Medical Doctor at UNTH………….so when the introduction started, as always she said “I am Mrs. Chinenye Okafor (not real name), the wife of Dr. Okafor……so one of the newly members who also doesn’t hear one got up and said “ we don’t want to know who your husband is, rather who you are”, lol…, and immediately the lady said “ anyways, my name is Dr. Chioma Okolo (not real name)”…lol

The root of it is poverty(ise) and ignorance.

thanks for the post man.

skyone:

The root of it is poverty(ise) and ignorance.

I totally agree. We Nigerians need a reality check 

This reminds me of an incident that happened a few years back. A woman (crazy lady. . .lol) bashed my car from behind. I don't know what she was thinking or doing at the time but we were in slow moving traffic and the extent of the damage indicated that she moved her vehicle with full force. Long story short, she was already at my window even before i came down from my vehicle, screaming at the top of her voice of the damages i have done to her car (see me see wahala). I came down to check out my wrecked tail lights and bumper. Her's was a broken head light and a slight dent to the grill. I was trying to calm her down and let her know that she was indeed the one at fault coz she bashed me from behind. Even fellow drivers were trying to call her to order. That infuriated her the more.

Next thing, she screamed at the top of her voice "Do you know who i am". . ."Do you know who my HUSBAND is". . ."My husband is so so so at so so and so Police Station". . ."in fact, you will smell your yansh today". It all seemed like a joke but before i realized how seriously mad this woman was, two police men in plain clothes arrived at the scene, got into my car and we ended up in SARS unit ikeja (Special Anti-Robbery Squad! ! ! ). As luck would have it, the CP (who was evidently miles ahead in rank than her husband) happened to be a close family friend and the "case" changed. The same "arresting" officers started coaxing me file a report and open a case file on her so that they could keep her behind bars at least for the night (this was after i had doled out some money). I declined.

Memories of that day never fail to amuse me.

Did the woman complain?
So, which one is my own business?

@OP. Iz a general fin in 9ja. A man wif social status prefer 2b knwn wit his title rather than d order. . . They see it as mark of respect n loyality blah blah.

C'mon u cant go around & cal a chief by his name<<<< it z a mark of disrespect e.t.c

U feel me?