Co Worker Work Business Office Person Eslpod 0118 Cn Eslpod Small

A "spouse" is a husband or wife. A "work spouse" is an informal or funny term referring to a co-worker, usually of the "opposite sex" (a man if you are a woman; a woman if you are a man), with whom you have a close, but "platonic" (not romantic or sexual) relationship. The relationship can be much like that of a married couple. In a 2008 U.S. survey reported by CNN, 23 percent of workers said that they had a work spouse.

According to the CNN story, here are seven clear "signs (indications) you might have a work spouse:

1. You depend on a particular co-worker for office supplies, snacks and "aspirin" (common medicine for headaches and pain).

2. There are "inside jokes" (jokes that other people would not understand) that you and a specific co-worker share.

3. You can be "bluntly" (directly; frankly) honest with this person about his or her appearance, "hygiene" (cleanliness), or hair.

4. When something "eventful" (important or interesting) happens at work, this co-worker is the first person you "seek out" (try to find) for a "de-briefing" (discussion; asking questions to get information).

5. At breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks, your closest co-worker knows what to order for you and how you like your coffee, and "vice versa" (the other way around; true for the other person, too).

6. You and your co-worker can finish each other's sentences.

7. Someone in your office knows almost as much about your personal life as your best friend or real-life spouse does.