Wifey: Congrats to all of you with 30 and 40 years and other numbers like that. Obviously long ago you found what works for you and doubt you conform to anyone else's idea of how things should be. Haven't even been alive 40 years so haven't made that yet.
However...
I do often feel at the same time like a newlywed and like we've been together forever, all at the same time. I find there are no words to express our relationship. Husband and wife to some sound like a form of ownership. To others sound like long term successful marriage. Older generation talks about younger taking marriage lightly and divorces but then you see all the couples once the nest empties divorcing and realize how many stayed together for reasons other than their love. I find it so refreshing to read all of you who have been together a long time. I have no facts, but I bet boating couples do it better. Not that, silly, although bet that too, I mean stay together better on the whole. Common interests. Ways they enjoy spending their leisure time. We really love love love love love boating together. Heck if it's captain and admiral, queen and king, bimbo and gigolo, it doesn't matter.
I think boating is the greatest family activity imaginable and families need some enjoyable things to do together. I know one thing and that is when we got married, we made each other and our relationship (well, actually before) the most important part of our life. We didn't let our jobs sabotage our marriages. I don't care how old you are, I can't imagine (ok outside of unmentionable x rated stuff) anything better than a couple sharing time on a boat together.
That said, no one answered the freaking question from the OP cause we don't know. We just suspect. Was it first used as an honor by a real gentleman or disparagingly by some jerk? Doesn't matter. If you like it today, fine. If you don't, fine. Gotta make your own kind of music.
Nobody can tell ya
There's only one song worth singin'
They may try and sell ya
'Cause it hangs them up
To see someone like you
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
You're gonna be nowhere,
The loneliest kind of lonely
It may be rough goin'
Just to do your thing
The hardest thing to do
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
So if you cannot take my hand
And if you must be goin'
I will understand
You gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song
Make your own kind of music
Even if nobody else sings along
[Fading out:]
You gotta make your own kind of music
Sing your own special song,
Make your own kind of music even if nobody
Else sings along.