Talk:Brother-in-law

Violation?
"The term is often misapplied to the husband of a person's sister-in-law; the correct term for such a relationship is 'brother-in-law by marriage.'"

This seems to violate NPOV and should be deleted or at least sourced. In any event, "brother-in-law by marriage" sounds idiotic, since&mdash;by definition&mdash;any in-law is related to one "by marriage." 169.199.113.163 02:10, 18 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I have heard this term used, but cannot find a reference for it. Deadlock (talk) 12:19, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Sibling's Husband
I'm concerned that "sibling's husband" may have been changed to "sister's husband" by someone who disapproves of gay marriage. I've changed it back since, like it or not, gay marriage is legal in many countries and several US states, and the definition of this term must allow for that. 12.45.255.66 (talk) 19:33, 20 August 2008 (UTC)


 * It appears that your concerns are not valid. In fact, it appears that just the opposite is true as both sources that were used for the article state "sister's husband". Steevo714 (talk) 23:22, 20 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Fair point. I've located another source.  98.216.70.211 (talk) 13:23, 25 August 2008 (UTC)

I changed it to sibling's husband. Logically a sister is a sibling, so saying "sibling's husband" includes sister's husband. Separating them out into "sister's husband or sibling's husband" is redundant. 68.101.205.229 (talk) 22:23, 21 March 2009 (UTC)

Each one of the cites mentioned in support of the proposition that one's spouse's sibling's husband is not your brother-in-law state the exact opposite of that proposition. Some people might feel that's not a true use of the phrase, but they'd better find different support because what's listed doesn't agree with them. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.231.186.86 (talk) 18:11, 21 June 2009 (UTC)

Further Relationships?
"Rob and Gwen are married. Gwen has a Sister, Claire, and so Rob is Claire's brother-in-law. Claire will marry Neil, who will then become Gwen's Brother-in-law. Furthermore, Rob and Neil will become brothers-in-law to one another."

Neil has a brother named Jeff. Is Jeff Rob's brother-in-law? If so, is Rob's sister Mandy Jeff's sister-in-law? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.178.9.166 (talk)

I don't agree, I have put this in relation to Sister-in-Law too.

Pleae note In-Laws only works one way and to one level away from you on you marraige side! My Father-in-law and my Mother-in-law are my spouses parents, and my spouses siblings are my brothers or sisters-in-laws. It also does not apply to my siblings spouses. E.g. My brothers wife is my brothers wife, nothing else, I am her Brother-in-law but she is not my Sister-in-law, my Sister-in-law is my wifes sister.

But my Brother-in-laws wife is NOT my Sister-in-law and my Sister-in-laws husband is NOT my brother-in-law, they are my Brother-in-laws wife and my Sister-in-Laws husband respectively and should be referred to as so. Otherwise my Brother-in-laws wifes parents would be my parents-in-law too. It has only become common place for people to so refer to their Sister or Brother in-laws spouses as Sister-in-law or Brother-in-law as it is easier to say that than explain exactly who they are in relation to them. It's a common misconception. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.97.169.13 (talk) 17:43, 14 October 2009 (UTC)


 * I'm going to have to go ahead and agree with you there. skakEL 01:25, 7 January 2012 (UTC)

whaaaat abouuuuut
last version said 'husband of one's spouse's sibling' counts.

so, 'brother of one's sibling's spouse' would have to count too, rite!? skakEL 01:25, 7 January 2012 (UTC)

How do you call...
...the father of one's child's spouse? As in, people whose children are married to each other? Does brother-in-law apply too? – Fanatix 17:16, 26 December 2012 (UTC)