On Mon, 02 May 2005 12:57:28 +1200, Russell McMahon wrote:

>...<
> > 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. 

Not quite a cruise, more a visit to India, the colony of choice for the up and coming upper classes!  :-)

> I guess the alternative is SOPH :-). 
> ("Steward - give Mr McMahon a SOPHisticated cabin."

Well, would you describe yourself as posh?  :-)

> 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.

Yes, but if it was in any way related to prisoners, it must have come from Australia, surely?  And you know 
how things get changed as they travel (ask anyone who's had stuff delivered by UPS! :-)

> 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 :-)

Indeed - he may have been on the other side of the fence, and crossed to NZ to escape his past...  ;-)

> * Deportation could be for so heinous a crime as eg stealinga loaf of bread.

...and this was a leniency introduced for less serious crimes as above, compared to being hanged for it, as 
had previously happened!

> 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

Known as "Transportation", of course.  I often wondered if they were expected to return at some time, or if it 
was a life sentence?

Cheers,


Howard Winter
St.Albans, England


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