The word "sidepieces" is spelled with a -ce ending instead of -se, despite the pronunciation of /s/ at the end of the word. This can be seen when breaking down the pronunciation of the word into IPA phonetics, as /saɪdpiːsɪz/. The -ce ending is a result of the word's origin in Old French, where the spelling -ce was used for the sound /s/ before the letters i, e, or y. Although the spelling may appear odd, it is a result of the historical evolution of the English language.
Sidepieces is a colloquial term that originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has gained popularity in mainstream culture. It generally refers to individuals who are intimately involved with someone who is already in a committed relationship or marriage. Specifically, sidepieces are extramarital or extrarelationship partners who are aware of the primary partner's existing commitment but engage in secret or discreet affairs.
The term "sidepieces" implies that these individuals are secondary to the primary relationship, often receiving less attention, time, or emotional investment from the person they are involved with. They are often seen as temporary or disposable, lacking the commitment, loyalty, and public recognition that comes with being recognized as a primary partner.
While this term predominantly focuses on romantic or sexual relationships, it can also extend to friendships or other types of connections. In these contexts, identifying someone as a sidepiece suggests that they are involved in a more informal or non-committal association, often prioritized below other relationships.
It is important to note that the term "sidepieces" may perpetuate harmful attitudes towards infidelity and objectify individuals who are involved in such relationships. It may also contribute to the stigmatization and marginalization of individuals engaged in consensual non-monogamous relationships or other forms of ethical non-monogamy.
The word "sidepieces" is a compound word formed by combining the words "side" and "pieces". The etymology of the individual words is as follows:
- "Side" comes from the Old English word "sīde", which means "flank" or "border". It has Germanic origins and is related to the Old High German word "sīta" and the Old Norse word "síða".
- "Pieces" is derived from the Old French word "piece", meaning "part" or "portion". It ultimately traces back to the Latin word "partīcia", meaning "a part" or "a share".