No mention of the Yanks ... but

Originally Posted by smc

Some of this concern is mitigated by smashing empty Foster's cans against the forehead repeatedly until all thoughts of terrorism has been beaten out of the Oz head.

Nobody in Australia actually drinks Fosters - it's just the crud they export to us Poms...

[Enoch Root]

What is Poms?

[smc]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

What is Poms?

It's short for pommy, a term used in Australia and New Zealand (and maybe South Africa; I can't remember, to refer to someone of general "British" descent (which includes English, Welsh, Scottish, and even Irish, if from the North). It comes from "pomegranate" (if you accept what the OED states); "pummy grant" is old Australian slang for an immigrant.

There are other theories that the OED dismisses.

A few years ago, the term was officially deemed "no longer offensive" in Australia -- as if officials can decide for individuals what is and isn't personally offensive.

[desirouspussy]

Originally Posted by smc

It's short for pommy, a term used in Australia and New Zealand (and maybe South Africa; I can't remember, to refer to someone of general "British" descent (which includes English, Welsh, Scottish, and even Irish, if from the North). It comes from "pomegranate" (if you accept what the OED states); "pummy grant" is old Australian slang for an immigrant.

There are other theories that the OED dismisses.

A few years ago, the term was officially deemed "no longer offensive" in Australia -- as if officials can decide for individuals what is and isn't personally offensive.

I don't know about South Africa but Australians generally only use the term to refer to the English. Not the Scottish or Irish.

Only definition I ever heard over there is this one:
POMMY = POME = Prisoner Of Mother England

[smc]

Originally Posted by Natalie_J

Nobody in Australia actually drinks Fosters - it's just the crud they export to us Poms...

Who said anything about drinking?