Meaning
A long-term unmarried partnership recognised socially (and in law) as a marriage in all but the ceremony — a couple who 'live wid' each other for years, keep house, and raise children together without a wedding. A 'common-law wife' or 'common-law husband' is such a partner. Very widespread in Jamaica, the common-law union is a fully respectable form of family, distinct from a 'church married' one.
Examples
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She a him common-law wife fi twenty year.
She's been his common-law wife for twenty years.
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Dem common-law, dem never do di church wedding.
They're common-law; they never did the church wedding.
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Him common-law husband help mind di pickney.
Her common-law husband helps raise the children.
Origin
From 'common law' (a union recognised by custom/law without ceremony). See [[church-married]], [[live-wid]].
How it’s used
A recognised long-term unmarried union; a 'common-law wife/husband'. See [[church-married]], [[shack-up]].