# So when Hillary is elected, what will her husband's title be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 3, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565 "2016-10-03T14:21:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![boffking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/21 "2016-10-03T18:21:19Z")
There actually is precedent for this. Governor’s spouses are referred to as First Lady or First Gentleman of their state. For example, [Thomas Hassan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hassan) is the First Gentleman of New Hampshire as Gov. Hassan’s husband. Bill Clinton would be the First Gentleman of the US. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/22 "2016-10-03T19:08:47Z")
First Lady—\>First Lad. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/23 "2016-10-03T20:25:06Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Officially, “First Gentleman” seems likely. Unofficially, he’ll be “First Dude”. “First Dude” is how Kathleen Sebilius’s husband referred to himself when she was governor of KS. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/24 "2016-10-03T21:14:31Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > He will have no title. Michelle Obama has no title. Americans have gotten accustomed to calling the president’s wife “First Lady”, but that is honorary. Americans have also gotten accustomed to regarding the husband to be the head of household, and unless specified otherwise, that de facto assumption is presumed to be in force. > > Joachim Sauer is simply the husband of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He follows his own career as a research chemist, and does not feel obliged to set that aside for luncheons at the chancellor’s residence. > > Historically, the First Lady in the USA has been a full-time president’s wife, limited outside to making politically correct dabblings in media-visible non-profit affairs. It should surprise no-one if Mr. Clinton excuses himself from that role, since that’s what American husbands do. There is no “Men’s Auxiliary” for the husbands of female members of American country clubs or professional associations. I thought we were suppose to be funny about this?? 😃 > [@DrFidelius](#): > > President and Former President Clinton. Obviously > [@Pleonast](#): > > Personally, I’ll call them Hill and Bill. Good one! 🙂 Mine: First Whore ;)😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/25 "2016-10-04T02:01:18Z")
> [@WildBlueYonder](#): > > Mine: First Whore Why is that? ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/26 "2016-10-04T02:10:03Z")
Chief Intern Tester. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/27 "2016-10-04T02:28:53Z")
Since the days of Eleanor Roosevelt and Stockard Channing, it’s traditional for the spouse of the president to have a political role as an advocate for women’s rights. I see no reason for that to change. There will just be more smirking. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/28 "2016-10-04T03:02:09Z")
I’m pretty sure it’ll be “First Gentleman”. Right now, I’m amusing myself at the thought of a formal introduction for the pair. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the First Gentleman of the United States, former President William Jefferson Clinton.” Quite the mouthful, that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/29 "2016-10-04T07:19:15Z")
Possibly President Clinton 42 (Bill) and President Clinton 46 (Hillary). Bush 41 and Bush 43 were on pretty common use. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/30 "2016-10-04T09:15:36Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Possibly President Clinton 42 (Bill) and President Clinton 46 (Hillary). > Bush 41 and Bush 43 were on pretty common use. Nitpick: The next president will be #45. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/31 "2016-10-04T09:18:09Z")
Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/32 "2016-10-04T10:01:41Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Possibly President Clinton 42 (Bill) and President Clinton 46 (Hillary). > Bush 41 and Bush 43 were on pretty common use. Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. Is there any precedent of a the First Spouse having previously held office, or otherwise having a preexisting title? We retain the President title for ex-Presidents generally. And you keep the highest title you’ve had. Bill Clinton is actually referred to as President Bill Clinton in many publications. In theory, they could be referred to as Presidents Hillary and Bill Clinton. There needs to be a style guide, as that makes it sound like they are both currently president. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/33 "2016-10-04T10:19:13Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Possibly President Clinton 42 (Bill) and President Clinton 46 (Hillary). > Bush 41 and Bush 43 were on pretty common use. But should the situation where the President’s father is a precedent President set the precedent for the situation where the President’s spouse is a precedent President, or should the new President set a new precedent? ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/34 "2016-10-04T10:20:32Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > I’m pretty sure it’ll be “First Gentleman”. > > Right now, I’m amusing myself at the thought of a formal introduction for the pair. > > “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the President of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the First Gentleman of the United States, former President William Jefferson Clinton.” > > Quite the mouthful, that. 😃 Although not quite the mouthful as “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith” to give Her Maj her full title, although I don’t know if she ever gets formally introduced/announced as such. Any monarchists in the audience know? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/35 "2016-10-04T10:47:24Z")
I just want to see the linens, china, and wallpaper he picks out. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/36 "2016-10-04T12:44:42Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. Is there any precedent of a the First Spouse having previously held office, or otherwise having a preexisting title? > > We retain the President title for ex-Presidents generally. And you keep the highest title you’ve had. Bill Clinton is actually referred to as President Bill Clinton in many publications. > > In theory, they could be referred to as Presidents Hillary and Bill Clinton. There needs to be a style guide, as that makes it sound like they are both currently president. I think we had a governor situation like that in Texas although it was a long time ago. An ex-governor’s wife that ran for governor on her husband’s coattails, but it was long enough ago that it was more of a wink-nudge way of getting her husband back in office again. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/37 "2016-10-04T12:51:30Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Why is that? Probably the wrong definition :dubious:, maybe First Loose Zipper? 😃 First Can’t keep it in his pants? Aside from that…I like him, always have. I liked having something (to me) that was decent to look at during his speeches. Most presidential speeches are boring as a door! BUT NOT HER! She is a status quo politician ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/38 "2016-10-04T12:53:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > In theory, they could be referred to as Presidents Hillary and Bill Clinton. I like that. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/39 "2016-10-04T12:57:41Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Kind of a digression here, but it occurred to me that our first African American President will (I hope) be followed by our first Estrogen American President. > About time, too, IMO. We prefer utero-American. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565/40 "2016-10-04T12:57:42Z")
> [@WildBlueYonder](#): > > Probably the wrong definition :dubious:, maybe First Loose Zipper? 😃 > > First Can’t keep it in his pants? Who was the President who had women hidden about the White House? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-when-hillary-is-elected-what-will-her-husbands-title-be/767565.md?page=3)