Why are english people called pommies?

Answer 1

could be:

Pommy
The term Pommy for a British person is commonly used by Australian English, New Zealand English, 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, most of which being acronyms.

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.

The Oxford English Dictionary has recently come out strongly in support of the word being a contraction, listing "pom" and "pommy" under its entry for "pomegranate". A supporting quotation from the Bulletin (Sydney) 14 November 1912: "The other day a Pummy Grant (assisted immigrant) was handed a bridle and told to catch a horse."[1]

A commonly-heard alternative theory is that POM is a shortened acronym of Prisoner of His/Her Majesty (POHM) or Prisoner Of Mother England (POME). 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'. In December 2006 the Advertising Standards Board of Australia unanimously ruled that the word "Pom" was a part of the Australian vernacular and was largely used in "playful or affectionate" terms. As a consequence, the board ruled that the word did not constitute a racial slur and could be freely used in advertising. The Board was responding to a complaint filed by a community group called 'British People Against Racial Discrimination'.[2]

As a means of humourous response and light hearted retaliation, the name Jack, meaning Just Another Convicts Kid, has recently started being used by a number of British in Australia as a reference to Australians, though some australians find it offensive, yet still persist in the usage of the word Pom, expressing double standards.

Answer 2

Pommies or poms is an old Australian jargon meaning "prisoners of mother england". It probably originated way back in the early days when convicts were sent to Australia to work on the land and which was a lot of.

Answer 3

English people are referred to a "Pommies" because, English people considering themselves above Austrailians because Austrailia began as an English penal colony, behaved in a Pompus manner. This was common in Victorian times due to the class system still thriving in the British Isles. The stiff upper lip, don't mix with the masses attitude.

Answer 4

The Auzzies call us this!
I think It's something to do with potatoes.
I think the french use pomde--------- for potatoes or something like this (I cant spell in french but I remember pomdetares)
Well it's a conclusion I came up with after spending 12 months there. (They actually offered me chips with a breakfast once because I was English lol)

Answer 5

I always understood it to be from "Prisoner of His Majesty"... as the first English in Australia were just that!

Answer 6

I heard that the locals thought the word 'immigrant' rhymed with 'pomegranate'

Answer 7

Mmm, we were called that when we lived in SA---(We were called a lot of other things besides!!) LOL. Seriously tho', my Dad, who knew EVERYTHING, backed the POHM explanation.

Answer 8

strange - I thought we were limeys

Answer 9

lol never heard that mate! anyway i believe they are called pikies but your guess sis as good as mine!

Answer 10

I dunno.....but i think it's kinda cute! ;)