I've heard it used both ways, actually. If it's a guy saying it, he means his dad. But if it's a woman (and it's always a middle aged one), she's talking about her boyfriend/husband. I've never heard a woman use it to refer to her father, and I've never heard a woman under 40 use it at all.
Re: How do you refer to your SO when talking to others?
I've heard it used both ways, actually. If it's a guy saying it, he means his dad. But if it's a woman (and it's always a middle aged one), she's talking about her boyfriend/husband. I've never heard a woman use it to refer to her father, and I've never heard a woman under 40 use it at all.