pommy

American  

[pom-ee] / ˈpɒm i /

Also pommie,

noun

(often initial capital letter)

pommies plural

1. a British person, especially one who is a recent immigrant.

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pommy British  

/ ˈpɒmɪ /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: pom.  slang (sometimes capital) a mildly offensive word used by Australians and New Zealanders for an English person

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Sensitive Note

This term is usually used with disparaging intent, but sometimes it is merely a term of affectionate abuse. The context will usually show the intent: an outbreak of Pommy-bashing.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• pommies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pommy

First recorded in 1910–15; origin obscure; corroborating evidence for any of the numerous fanciful etymologies proposed for the word is so far lacking

Example Sentences

But, pommy word! look here, child, we must ask him here to stay a few days.

From Garthowen A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Raine, Allen

"Yes; pommy word I don't know what's the world coming to!"

From Garthowen A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Raine, Allen

Yes, yes, a brave young fellow, pommy word.

From Garthowen A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Raine, Allen

Ay, and there were the fellers round her wringing down the cheese and bustling about and saying, Ware o' the pommy, ma'am: 'twill spoil yer gown.

From Far from the Madding Crowd by Hardy, Thomas

Well! pommy word, you know, Gwenda, I like the young fellow myself.

From Garthowen A Story of a Welsh Homestead by Raine, Allen