>> The term pom is an Australian slang term for a English person. I think
it
>> originates from pomegranates which were eaten by Englsih sailors to
guard
>> against scurvy on long sea voyages. Just like the English were called
Limeys
>> because they ate limes.
>I believe they ate the limes to stave off scurvy not pomegranates.
We ate limes to keep the Merkins away :-)

>I asked Jeeves and was told:
>Various theories about pom have been proposed, including the acronym POHM,
>standing for Prisoner of His Majesty, supposedly applied to the English
>prisoners exiled to Australia early in its colonial history. The most
logical
>theory, however, explains the term as an example of rhyming slang, the
argot of
>London's Cockney underworld. Rhyming slang evolved in the 18th century as
a
>private language among thieves and con men to conceal their dealings from
the
>prying ears of the police, and gradually spread throughout the working
classes
>of the entire British Commonwealth, including Australia.
Actually it was for the respected traders of the East End.....oh all right
- thieves.

Andy Johnson
Senior Product Support Specialist
UK Hardware Front Office
Basingstoke AL1C
Tel: 01256 34 1490 (Hunting Group 24hr)
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