We're Being Beaten!!!!

jax · May 11, 2004

Here's my contribution to the cause.

jax

Grace Oz · May 11, 2004

Ok, to explain why we, (Aussies) refer to our English 'cousins' as "Pommies".

One theory about the origin of the word, "Pommie", is that it stands for... "Prisoner Of Mother England" aka "POME". That being the case, it refers to those convicts who were banished to Australia, from England, back at the time of settlement of our country. Captain James Cook founded the east coast of Australia, & England claimed it as thier own. They sent the thieves, crooks & "lower" class "peasants", to live here, mostly, as convicts. The convicts were prisoners of England.

Since that time, any englishman/woman, has been referred to as a "Pommie" by Australians. Some deem it to be an insulting or derogatory word, and take offence. For the most part though, it's taken in good humour, as indeed it should!

We Aussies are renown for using "Nicknames" for people from different parts of the globe. Mostly, it's in good fun & light hearted humour.

For example, we refer to American's as "Yanks", irrespective of which part of the USA you might live.

You will mostly hear Aussies refer to the english as "Poms", "Pommies", And sometimes as, "That Pommie B*s*a*d!". BUT.... if we call you that, then you KNOW you are accepted & loved!! :rotfl:

It's just how we are, we're a weird mob! :clown: :lol2: :coollook:

gwenith, BSN, RN · May 11, 2004

Thanks Grace I went looking for the Etymology of that word yesterday and gave up in disgust!! I had a feeling it was one of those words that we have NO idea of the origin but are widely used.

Grace is also right we do tend to use more "swear words" than most other people in everyday language - so much so that they have ceased to be swear words.

Torachan · May 11, 2004

I thought it was because they only have a bath once a week... no seriously when I was in Pommy land I only had one bath a week Only jokes.

Gwenith..... We speak like the people around us so that we can be understood. Bloody used to be a swear word that would make polite ladies blush. F*ck is a police anacronism F_orced U_nlawful C_arnal K_nowledge. There is only one word that can not be said here in QLD and being a law abiding citizen I shant write it but C U Next (day after monday) would be pretty close (Magistrates court).

Bad language is so common that not to swear is not to emphasise your point... kind of. I have a mate whom when he swears everyone stops and thinks "so&so is very angry and has lost his temper". When I swear people just wish that I wouldn't drink so much :)

CashewLPN, LPN · May 19, 2004

ha... very interesting... thanks grace- that was very informative!

hmm... I wanna go and visit you all one of these days... I dont mind the 24 hour flight...:) or, I'll make it a looooong vacation, stop in figi on the way around..

-Barbara

Evie · May 21, 2004

torachan - my ears are bleeding!! hahaha

Evie · May 21, 2004

or should that be, my EYES..

Farkinott, RN · May 23, 2004

Here's another to help keep the wolf from the door!

nikonos · May 24, 2004

Here's one from a guy who visited New Zealand for two months last year. I would love to live there someday but until they raise the wages for nurses it just isn't feasible to do so. But I shall continue to support you guys as much as I can.