>> > Do you mean POHM?  If not, what does POM stand for?
>>
>> "Prisoner Of Mother-England" or abbreviation of POMegranate or ???.
>
> Errr - not at all sure why pomegranates would have been relevant :-)

They, like Englishmen, turn bright red in the tropical sun.
It's meant to be one possible derivation of the name.

> Yes, that's what I'd always understood was the origin of the 
> expression!  The newly-arrived inhabitants of the
> big island across the Tasman sea from you would be identified as 
> such on their papers, and possibly on their
> clothes too?  (A bit like the origin of "Posh").

Also of doubtful origin I'm told.
"Port Out Starboard Home" is the standard meaning - avoids the sun 
both ways when on a cruise. I guess the alternative is SOPH :-). 
("Steward - give Mr McMahon a SOPHisticated cabin."

The term POHM is NEVER used here AFAIK. POM is the standard term when 
such terms are used. Or Pommie. Or Pommie expletive deleted :-) (but 
they don't delete it) but that's not overly common.

FWIW as far as I can tell my great great grandfather was an Irish 
constable exported with the "miscreants"* to help keep things in check 
in the big island across the pond at the time concerned. Probably a 
story made up to hide humbler origins :-)

* Deportation could be for so heinous a crime as eg stealinga loaf of 
bread.
Makes 3 strikes look tame.
1st prize a trip for 1 to Australia
2nd prize a trip for 2 to Australia
3rd prize a trip for 3 to Australia


FWIW
Google
POM    1.83 million
POHM    4,590
POM prisoner of mother england     9,330
POM "prisoner of mother england"   497
"prisoner of her majesty"    266
"prisoner of her majesty"   pohm  128




        RM 

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