Being referred to as a pom

Tim · 28-04-2008, 06:05 AM

For those living in Australia or moving to Australia, how do you feel about being called a pom if used in a social context?

I would love to know peoples thoughts on the this and the more that add to this straw poll the better!

Its a closed poll so no one can see what you are voting for.

Stuju · 28-04-2008, 06:24 AM

Yep have been & im sure i will be again,(it was actually when England beat Australia in the rugby world cup semi final last year didnt bother me at all - ******** & proud !!!!

Jaynie · 28-04-2008, 06:29 AM

I am not offended, it does depend in what tone it is said to you though, I was offended by some older people in the way it was said while I was working, they said "Oh, you are a POMMIE aren't you" I replied "If you mean I am English, yes I am and proud of it" Funny thing was though they weren't Aussies, they came from Finland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ali · 28-04-2008, 06:47 AM

Oh - I wanted to say that I wouldn't be offended and I refer to myself as a pom. It's like anything - it's not the word per se it's the way it's said. I have not had one incident where it's been said to me in an offensive way. - Can I vote twice or is that cheating?

tuckerfa · 28-04-2008, 06:48 AM

I've been called a whole lot worse!!

Jaynie · 28-04-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmo

Yep have been & im sure i will be again,(it was actually when England beat Australia in the rugby world cup semi final last year didnt bother me at all - ******** & proud !!!!

sorry this is off subject. Julie please email me, your inbox is full, I have something to tell you.

Tim · 28-04-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ali

Oh - I wanted to say that I wouldn't be offended and I refer to myself as a pom. It's like anything - it's not the word per se it's the way it's said. I have not had one incident where it's been said to me in an offensive way. - Can I vote twice or is that cheating?

In a general social environment and not said in an offensive way. Pehaps in just a normal every day conversations you may have?

calNgary · 28-04-2008, 07:14 AM

I choose 'i call myself one' ,which i do normally when im having a blonde moment at the shops etc,always brings a smile to their faces and mine.Like Ali i have never been called it in derogitory way,not that ive heard anyway,lol
Cal x

ali · 28-04-2008, 07:25 AM

I can't remember it ever being said to me offensively in any setting - I'd like to think it's 'cos I'm a nice person .... but maybe i'm just blonde and didn't realise lol

Ali

daveintaiwan · 28-04-2008, 07:27 AM

A false etymology common in both Australia and New Zealand is that pom originated as an acronym for "prisoner of (his/her) majesty" or "prisoner of mother England".
The Oxford English Dictionary strongly supports the theory that pommy originated as a contraction of "pomegranate". The OED also suggests that the reason for this is that pomegranate is extinct Australian rhyming slang for immigrant; it cites an article from 14 November 1912, in a once-prominent Australian weekly magazine The Bulletin: "The other day a Pummy Grant (assisted immigrant) was handed a bridle and told to catch a horse."

Can't argue with the truth... but does it mean that all immigrants are Poms?
I think I might defend the term Pom, if I heard someone calling an Indian, Greek or Finnish person a Pom.
"No, no. That's not right, only Brits can be called Poms!"

So, offended? Hardly...