I consider "open relationships" a type of poly. Usually used by people who want to be poly but don't want to consider themselves part of a club or who just really, really hate mashing latin and greek roots together.
I'm not gigaexpert on this topic, but isn't this description pretty accurate?: What is the difference between polyamory and open relationships? In an open relationship, you're free to have sex with other people but stay emotionally committed to only one primary partner. In a polyamorous relationship, you're committed to loving multiple partners equally. I understand that its different for everyone, but it applies pretty well to SH and her general behaviour through earlier acts(again she denies any poly proposal even for Karlach and Astarion).
I think that's right, I think that was the original idea but words evolve and it's become something of a catch all. And weird dynamic emerge. I always aim for kitchen table polyamory but I dated a relationship anarchist for a number of years. Was it a poly relationship? It was our own weird thing. But "poly" works in lieu of an essay.
