Pomes, Pohmes etc.

["Williams, David J EDUC:EX" <David.Williams@gems7.gov.bc.ca>]

I lived in NZ and various locations down under for a while in the late 60's
and noted that the term was used quite frequently by Kiwis and Aussies. 

 It was explained to me that the British convicts who were provided with
free trips to Australia were prominently tattooed with the letters P.O.M.E.
or P.O.H.M.E. meaning "Prisoner of Her/His Majesty's Empire"  The Kiwis and
Aussies took a reverse view of who was the prisoner and who had been set
free....thus it became a derogatory reference to Brits.



David J.R. Williams
Manager
K-12 Curriculum and Learning Resources
Ministry of Education
Ph:  (250) 356-2308
Fx:  (250)  356-2316