Where does this term come from? What does it mean?

I found this reference, but if it really comes from the word pomegranate then I don't feel half as derised as I thought I should have, anyone else have any ideas?

Origins: "Pommy" (or "pom" or "pommie") is a primarily Australian (and largely derisive) slang term used to indicate a recent immigrant from Great Britain, or a Brit in general. The origins of "pommy" having been lost in the mists of time, someone needed to cook up an etymology for it, preferably one equal to the pejorative sense of the word. Accordingly, we now have the story that criminals transported to Australia were designated "Prisoners of His Majesty" or "Prisoners of Mother England" (some versions claim the convicts bore one of these legends printed on the backs of their shirts), and thus the acronym "POHM" or "POME" eventually evolved into the slang term "pom" or "pommy."

This amusing anecdote is doubtful as anything more than a fanciful invention, as acronymic origins antedating the mid-twentieth century are automatically suspect, and the use of "pommy" has been recorded at least as far back as 1915. Moreover, nobody has yet turned up corroborating evidence that "Prisoner of His Majesty" or "Prisoners of Mother England" were actually common designations for criminals transported to Australia. The best guess at this time is that "pommy" was based on the word "pomegranate" -- either because the redness of the fruit supposedly matched the typically florid British complexion, or because (like "Johnny Grant") it was used as rhyming slang for "immigrant."

May I ask the origin of the originator of this thread?

Sounds like some "ignorant pom" to me, but I'm willing to be corrected, although probably only on the noun, not the adjective.

Are you pommy bashing me Emuu? I thought the "then I don't feel half as derised as I thought I should have" comment might have given you a tip off.

Another version of the origins of Pommy:

Pommie - Slang for Brit. Although the origin of this word is unknown, it is reckoned to have come from the name of the first English immigrant Micheal Pommy, who went around Australia comparing everything he saw to what it was like in England. His remarks were then often met by the phrase "Then go sodding back to bloody England then, Pommy"

More in line with Beg's thread I think.

I heard somewhere once, it was derived from latin, meaning,' perfect man.'

Don't know how true it is, but sounds right.

you missed the word 'git'at the end of the topic

Are you pommy bashing me Emuu?

Who ... me???

I heard somewhere once, it was derived from latin, meaning,' perfect man.'

Don't know how true it is, but sounds right.

Sounds like the compleat anal inversion to me!

you missed the word 'git'at the end of the topic

Sometimes subsituted for "bastard" but only in polite circles.

I'm actually of the opinion that it is a matter of social conditioning rather than an accident of birth. I say this because I'm an Aussie who at the age of 4 months (about 53 years ago) left Old Blighty with my family to grow up in the land of OZ, and I'm defititely an Aussie, not a Pom.

Of course, some of the expletives used against poms have also be used against me, so I can't be totally sure.

POM stands for Person Of Merit and refers to someone of a somewhat higher social standing than an Australian.

POM stands for Person Of Merit and refers to someone of a somewhat higher social standing than an Australian. 

Please don't beat me missy, I not say nothin no more.

POM stands for Person Of Merit and refers to someone of a somewhat higher social standing than an Australian.

HA HA

stick that in your pie and smoke it

Aussie gits

ps, you should all know me by now and that last coment was meant as a joke before you all whip me.

POM stands for Person Of Merit and refers to someone of a somewhat higher social standing than an Australian.

As opposed to a <deleted>? Western Oriental Gentleman?

How about you all joining C.U.N.T

Conglomerated Union of Nationalistic Tw_ts

Always thought pom had the adjective "whinging" in front of it

What a great thread, i know loads of examples that are listed above.

Simbo is correct obviously, perfect man or perfect being, all the same.

Obviously talking Englishman here?

i always understood:

Pommie = POME = pissed of mother england/pissed off mother english

i dunno.

Of course, some of the expletives used against poms have also be used against me, so I can't be totally sure.

Let's see yer back, then.

Where does this term come from? What does it mean?

I found this reference, but if it really comes from the word pomegranate then I don't feel half as derised as I thought I should have, anyone else have any ideas?

Origins: "Pommy" (or "pom" or "pommie") is a primarily Australian (and largely derisive) slang term used to indicate a recent immigrant from Great Britain, or a Brit in general. The origins of "pommy" having been lost in the mists of time, someone needed to cook up an etymology for it, preferably one equal to the pejorative sense of the word. Accordingly, we now have the story that criminals transported to Australia were designated "Prisoners of His Majesty" or "Prisoners of Mother England" (some versions claim the convicts bore one of these legends printed on the backs of their shirts), and thus the acronym "POHM" or "POME" eventually evolved into the slang term "pom" or "pommy."

This amusing anecdote is doubtful as anything more than a fanciful invention, as acronymic origins antedating the mid-twentieth century are automatically suspect, and the use of "pommy" has been recorded at least as far back as 1915. Moreover, nobody has yet turned up corroborating evidence that "Prisoner of His Majesty" or "Prisoners of Mother England" were actually common designations for criminals transported to Australia. The best guess at this time is that "pommy" was based on the word "pomegranate" -- either because the redness of the fruit supposedly matched the typically florid British complexion, or because (like "Johnny Grant") it was used as rhyming slang for "immigrant."

Whatever have you started here FTH ? Every Ozzie digger will welcome the opportunity to do a little bit of Pom ( origin lost in the mists of time ) bashing

I heard a riciculous description of the creation of this phrase probably invented to make the whole idea of the empire sound very exciting and, glorify the wealth of the "mother country".

It was claimed that the Brits of position/wealth who visited Australia during it's infancy were so wealthy that they visited with crates full of Pommeroy champagne.

Find that one hard to believe somehow, but I read it in a well respected newspaper.

I always thought it had something to do with "pomade", the greasy crap you beef-boilers used to put on your hair.....although POntificating Mother******s has also been posited.....

I read somewhere that it might have been an Aussie shortening of the word POMpous.

I always thought it had something to do with "pomade", the greasy crap you beef-boilers used to put on your hair.....although POntificating Mother******s has also been posited.....

I think theres a spelling mistake in your name, should'nt it be an n instead of an l.

It's interesting that the acronym seems to have appeared around the early 19th century........right after Federation. there wouldhave been nationalistic Aussie movements pushing for seperation from that other place.

Pommie is good ..........but 'soap dodger' makes me laugh too !! Thanks Bronco.........!!

It's interesting that the acronym seems to have appeared around the early 19th century........right after Federation. there wouldhave been nationalistic Aussie movements pushing for seperation from that other place.

Pommie is good ..........but 'soap dodger' makes me laugh too !! Thanks Bronco.........!!

Dry as a Pommy's towel.

Dry as a Pommy's towel.

Haha..... ........we're on a roll...!!

Careful you guys. When I was growing up, my English mother made me have a bath most Saturday nights whether I needed it or not!!!

If I'm in a real hurry, or the water is not running, I will occassionally take a pommie shower.

'soap dodger'

Ha! Brilliant.

You could add "dentist dodger" to the list.

Playfully, I might add.

I always thought it had something to do with "pomade", the greasy crap you beef-boilers used to put on your hair.....although POntificating Mother******s has also been posited.....

I think theres a spelling mistake in your name, should'nt it be an n instead of an l.

careful...it might be a "c".

that went so fast over my head i fear i am balding now.

a little help please!

I always thought it had something to do with "pomade", the greasy crap you beef-boilers used to put on your hair.....although POntificating Mother******s has also been posited.....

I think theres a spelling mistake in your name, should'nt it be an n instead of an l.

careful...it might be a "c".