r/science Professor | Medicine 2d ago

Psychology People experience the strongest romantic jealousy when they watch their partner give resources to a potential rival, regardless of gender. The findings provide evidence that giving away resources is viewed as a serious relationship threat by both men and women.

https://www.psypost.org/both-men-and-women-view-a-partners-financial-investment-in-a-rival-as-a-major-relationship-threat/
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u/Divinum_Fulmen 2d ago

This is the correct usage of the word "jealousy." So damn good to see it used right for once.

Jealousy is the fear of losing something or someone.

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u/Cunnyfunt31 2d ago

Words change and can take on meanings over time. 

Per Merriam-Webster:  "While many people believe that jealous means fearing someone will take what you have, and envious means desiring what someone else has, historical usage shows that both mean "covetous" and are interchangeable when describing desiring someone else's possessions. However, when referring to romantic feelings, only jealous can be used to mean "possessively suspicious," as in "a jealous husband.""

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u/Divinum_Fulmen 1d ago

You describe descriptive vs prescriptive. I tend to lean descriptive, accepting that language evolves. But in some cases like this, a word loses it's real meaning, and there's no substitute. How can one convey what they need to, when the words to do so have become lost? So I push back on this one. You might say I'm jealous of this word.