"'friends' & 'strangers'"

There is a wide gap between friends and strangers that is inhabited by acquaintances of all sorts.

An honest person knows who their friends are though.



Richard,

Not sure what is meant by the term "weasel word" but I think you are adding to my point.

There are a million types of relationship, including that which I have with my local shopkeeper, that which I have with my daughter, and that which I have with my girlfriend etc ...

If a weasel word is one that is misused, then the word "relationship" definitely fits that category as its use nowadays heaps an enormous burden of expectation on those whose communion/intercourse it is meant to describe.

Rather than observing and enjoying the nature of their relationship, they feel compelled to impose popular definitions of what a relationship is upon each other and themselves.

"Friends with benefits" is how folk avoid this.