Do they not understand why they are calling us this. It seems they just call us it because they think it is an insult. Whereas noone really knows why. I know for fact that when they call us pommies, it doesn't offend me. Because noone knows why they do it. Well i do now. But does anyone else?
2006-12-05 03:52:19 · 9 answers · asked by Foxy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Apparently, it comes from POHM (Prisoner of His Majesty) which was printed on all the clothes of the convicts we sent out there to start the place.
2006-12-05 03:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
[edit] Pommy
The term Pommy for a British person is commonly used in Australian English, New Zealand English and South African English and Afrikaans Speakers, and is often shortened to Pom. The origin of this term is not confirmed and there are several persistent false etymologies.
One theory is that, as the majority of early immigrants to Australia were British, it is rhyming slang for "immigrant" from a contraction of the word "pomegranate", or possibly more directly related to the appearance of the fruit, as it bears a more than passing resemblance to the typical pale complexioned Briton's skin after his or her first few days living under the hot Australian sun.
Another theory is that POM is a shortened acronym of Prisoner of His/Her Majesty (POHM). As many of Australia's first settlers were convicts, sentenced to transportation, this theory holds that upon arrival in the country they would be given a uniform with POHM emblazoned on the back, and that convicts with an extended stay on Australian soil would no longer have to wear the shirt and would often refer to newer entrants into the country as "Pohmmys". Other suggestions hold that POM is a different acronym, such as "Prisoner of Mother England" or "Port of Melbourne". These etymologies are believed to be false, as the term "pommy" was coined long before acronyms were used in common parlance. Moreover, there is no record of prisoners in Australia ever wearing such uniforms.
The use of the word 'Pom' is contentious. Some British people living in Australasia find the term offensive and demeaning, others find it harmless and amusing. Attitudes to the use of the word have varied over the years, from the 1960s when slogans such as 'bash a pom a day' were heard on New Zealand radio, to today, when the word has become so entrenched that few Australians and New Zealanders see any reason to avoid using the word, some even justifying the use of the word as being 'endearing'. On September 27, 2006, the Australian cricketing authority Cricket Australia ruled that it was OK for cricket fans to refer to the English as 'Poms' after a wide-ranging review on potentially racist terms. [1]
bless
2006-12-09 09:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by angies_angel_eyes2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pommy-
The term Pommy for a British person is commonly used in Australian English, New Zealand English and South African English and Afrikaans Speakers, and is often shortened to Pom. The origin of this term is not confirmed and there are several persistent false etymologies.
One theory is that, as the majority of early immigrants to Australia were British, it is rhyming slang for "immigrant" from a contraction of the word "pomegranate", or possibly more directly related to the appearance of the fruit, as it bears a more than passing resemblance to the typical pale complexioned Briton's skin after his or her first few days living under the hot Australian sun.
Another theory is that POM is a shortened acronym of Prisoner of His/Her Majesty (POHM). As many of Australia's first settlers were convicts, sentenced to transportation, this theory holds that upon arrival in the country they would be given a uniform with POHM emblazoned on the back, and that convicts with an extended stay on Australian soil would no longer have to wear the shirt and would often refer to newer entrants into the country as "Pohmmys". Other suggestions hold that POM is a different acronym, such as "Prisoner of Mother England" or "Port of Melbourne". These etymologies are believed to be false, as the term "pommy" was coined long before acronyms were used in common parlance. Moreover, there is no record of prisoners in Australia ever wearing such uniforms.
The use of the word 'Pom' is contentious. Some British people living in Australasia find the term offensive and demeaning, others find it harmless and amusing. Attitudes to the use of the word have varied over the years, from the 1960s when slogans such as 'bash a pom a day' were heard on New Zealand radio, to today, when the word has become so entrenched that few Australians and New Zealanders see any reason to avoid using the word, some even justifying the use of the word as being 'endearing'. On September 27, 2006, the Australian cricketing authority Cricket Australia ruled that it was OK for cricket fans to refer to the English as 'Poms' after a wide-ranging review on potentially racist terms.
2006-12-05 11:56:02 · answer #3 · answered by elegant_voodoo 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
One theory is that, as the majority of early immigrants to Australia were British, it is rhyming slang for "immigrant" from a contraction of the word "pomegranate", or possibly more directly related to the appearance of the fruit, as it bears a more than passing resemblance to the typical pale complexioned Briton's skin after his or her first few days living under the hot Australian sun.
Another theory is that POM is a shortened acronym of Prisoner of His/Her Majesty (POHM). As many of Australia's first settlers were convicts, sentenced to transportation, this theory holds that upon arrival in the country they would be given a uniform with POHM emblazoned on the back, and that convicts with an extended stay on Australian soil would no longer have to wear the shirt and would often refer to newer entrants into the country as "Pohmmys". Other suggestions hold that POM is a different acronym, such as "Prisoner of Mother England" or "Port of Melbourne". These etymologies are believed to be false, as the term "pommy" was coined long before acronyms were used in common parlance. Moreover, there is no record of prisoners in Australia ever wearing such uniforms.
2006-12-05 11:57:43 · answer #4 · answered by johnnie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
geese it just a term of endearment do you want it to disappear be PC correct come on me a Scot get called jock ..the Irish the Tim's and the welsh your choice the french the frogs its just a name and fun lighten up and why you call the Australians the Aussies see my point
2006-12-06 15:49:48 · answer #5 · answered by bobonumpty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
POME
Prisoner of Mother England
a name for new arrivals in penal colony days.
2006-12-05 11:55:09 · answer #6 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was always under the impression that it was because we ate so many potatoes?!
(from the french pomme de terre?lol)
2006-12-05 12:00:39 · answer #7 · answered by L.A.U.R.E.N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the australians have a better weather than the british
2006-12-05 12:10:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK IT REVERTS BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN A LOT OF MIGRATED THERE, WHEN WE ATE A LOT OF POTATOES. I COULD BE WRONG.
2006-12-05 12:04:54 · answer #9 · answered by aunty m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋