[Late for the Party]

Quick question. Do British people find it offensive to be called a pom or pome? Considering where the word originates from (people who were deported to Oz were called "Prisoners of mother England" or pome) I would have thought it would be offensive to Australians, not the other way around.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Late for the Party

Quick question. Do British people find it offensive to be called a pom or pome? Considering where the word originates from (people who were deported to Oz were called "Prisoners of mother England" or pome) I would have thought it would be offensive to Australians, not the other way around.

Not strictly true the word possibly also originates from the fair skin turning red under the Australian sun like a pomegranate. It was deemed to be an inoffensive word by the Australian Racial Commission a few years ago.

It was however found that the word wasnt in use before the end of the 19th century, that doesnt exactly fit with the transportation origin theory of the word.

As to its offense, surely that would be down to the context in which it is being used.

[Late for the Party]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Not strictly true the word possibly also originates from the fair skin turning red under the Australian sun like a pomegranate. It was deemed to be an inoffensive word by the Australian Racial Commission a few years ago.

It was however found that the word wasnt in use before the end of the 19th century, that doesnt exactly fit with the transportation origin theory of the word.

As to its offense, surely that would be down to the context in which it is being used.

Oh right, thank you for the info.