Whinging Pomms !!

[rinkytink]

Why do Australians call the English pomms or pommies ?

[dfk]

Prisoner Of Mother England - so it reads as POME

[Quizmonster]

There are several urban legends, many related to convicts, as to the origin of 'pom/pommy' for Englishman in colloquial Australian. The Oxford English Dictionary says the source is uncertain, but it tends to favour the idea that it is associated with 'pomegranate'. This makes sense for two reasons...a. It very roughly rhymes with 'immigrant' which all later poms were, of course, and b. the pomegranate is a very brightly red-coloured fruit. Obviously, newcomers to sunny Australia would look as red as that for some time after arrival. Apparently also, settlers' children used to shout "Pomegranate!" after such new arrivals in the street.

[Huge]

Contrary to popular belief of Whinging Pomm coming from POME: Prisoner of Mother England - it is actually POHM: Prisoner of His Majesty, as documented in Tasmania.

[Janetex]

You are quite correct about the POHM, but goodness knows from whence comes the whinging.