Being referred to as a pom

[Pinhead]

Originally Posted by sharon h

Aren't most Australians originally poms - prisoners of mother England!

That used to be the case a long time ago but I don't think the majority are decended from convicts now. Australia is far more cosmopoliton and diverse than it used to be even 30 years ago.

[The Broughtons]

At work I am the 'token pom'. According to my colleagues, every work place should have one. I have my uses apparently - I can answer the 'English' questions in the Herald Sun quiz at break time every day. I take this all in my stride. I give as good as I get and would not be afraid to say if the others had crossed the line. Some are also very quick to check that they haven't offended me.

My OH is also referred to as 'you pommy b*****d', although he isn't alone - there are a couple of them also affectionately named this. OH doesn't get upset - he just gives a bit of verbal in return and the friendly banter stays that way.

Felicity

[Weemac]

Originally Posted by Pinhead

What's wrong with being called English? (Unless your Scotish, Welsh or Irish of course!)

Aww come on....Wee..Mac...Kilt in the photo...hazard a guess

[daveintaiwan]

Originally Posted by saunders clan

Historically, POM stands for Prisoner of Millbank - the main prison from where convicts were sent to Oz from. It was written on the boats I do believe.

A popular idea again, but unfortunately with no hard evidence to back it up. It may be true, but there are no pictures of boats or uniforms with POM written on them...

Just as with the 'Prisoner of her majesty/mother England' theory. Some proponents of this theory claim that upon arrival in the country they would be given a uniform with "POHM" or "POME" emblazoned on the back, which apparently stood for Prisoners Of Her Majesty/Mother England but there are no images or examples of these uniforms.

This doesn't mean that they aren't true, after all, why would you keep a prisoner's uniform? They were probably worn until they were in tatters and discarded. However, you might expect to see pictures as people recorded these poor souls being sent off across the oceans on the prison ships, and then arriving at the other end.

BTW, one has to wonder what the two people who are offended by the term are doing on a website called 'pomsinoz.com'? They must be offended every time they log in!

[Pinhead]

Originally Posted by Weemac

Aww come on....Wee..Mac...Kilt in the photo...hazard a guess

Doh! I must pay more attention.

[Tim]

Any more? I think we know what the majority of folk think now!

[tony and sheena]

Hi
Why would anyone spend a fortune to move to the other side of the world if they may be 'deeply offended' by the local lingo? I wonder what term they would not be offended at, surely they do not expect to be referred to as 'the english/scottish/welsh/irish person each time they are mentioned? I also wonder have they ever used the term AUSSIE, and if so, were any AUTRALIAN PEOPLE offended? I doubt it!

Sheena

[gemmahey]

I Love Being A Pom!

[suse]

We are due out in September - asked my 13 year old what he had any worries about leaving UK. He said 'being called a Pom at school' which rather threw me, but anyone else out there had their children facing the same dilema? How did you deal with it, how long did it last, was it a problem. Advice would be great, thanks

[calNgary]

I THINK IF YOU LET THE CHILDREN KNOW THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN BEING CALLED A POM ,AND YOU ALSO RELATE TO YOURSELVES AS POMS IN CONVERSATION HE WILL PROBABLY BE OK.
Cal x