This is a great thread. I have to tell you that while Aussies ostensibly speak English, there were plenty of times where I had no idea what the hell--uh, heck--they were talking about.

I did have a great time and wonder if I will ever get back down under some day. NZ was great too.

We've got a lot more room out here too to hang wind chimes!

Gilly would have fessed up. He was a walker.

... and I believe it's only the bogan Aussies who wear their ugg boots outside of the house.

Don't forget about Bonds, or Bondies, as they are sometimes referred to.

We live in the North of England and have just returned from a 6 week trip to Queensland in Australia to visit our daughter who emigrated last year.
We loved Oz and were amused to find a lot of the humour and "terms" were typically from the North of England.
Our grandfathers who were almost all coal miners said "singlet" meaning vest.
"Youse" is scouse (Liverpool) for "you" and many other terms were familiar to us from our childhood.
We were amused at the chip shops everywhere, selling "barramundi and chips" instead of cod and chips.
Mushy peas have not taken off as yet, but I did have a "pie float" which was steak pie, mushy peas and gravy.
Typical North of England "fare" but I did notice that meat and potato pie is not available.Maybe someone should patent it.
We loved the Aussie political incorrectness and freedom of speech, even on tv. Someone was referred to as a "silly bugger" on the News on T.V. Hilarious!!
And yes, Max Boyce a Welsh comedian was definately the founder of Oggy Oggy Oggy oi oi oi.(now Aussie)
However one question. We were constantly referred to as "poms". Not a problem, but we always thought it was "pohms" and meant "prisoners of her Majesty", but locals said it means "prisoners of the mother country" which is right?
Also if I still live in the UK, surely it's the Aussies who are the poms (prisoners,or descendants of) Just a thought. Discuss! lol

Hi Marly,

I'm so pleased you had such a great time downunder. I'm sorry you missed out on a meat and potato pie - commonly referred to here as a cottage pie - for the life of me I don't know how you missed that one.

I have to agree that there is a lot to love here including our political incorrectness, freedom of speech etc.

Now the origin of POMS - well good luck with that one. I'm sure we'll get a few opinions about it - I have none - it doesn't matter to me - I know that when I refer to someone as a Pom it is intended with the greatest affection and generally you will find that no malice is intended when that title is used.

I've heard some say that the term originated by comparing the English rosy cheeks to pomegranites (sp?).

Hello Marly - if it helps, the stand-alone use of the term 'Pom' or 'Pommy' is usually without malice; used as a 'Pommy so-and-so' it is usually derogatory, to varying degrees (depending on how much of a downright 'Pommy so-and-so' the 'Pommy-so and-so' is adjudged to be).

The convict taint is a non issue these days - in fact a (distant) convict connection is usually highly prized by family historians. And of course, many of us think of England as 'where the convicts came from' and being populated by the dregs of that class who were too weak to make the voyage.

But I wouldn't say that.

Yes, Prime Minister.

LaurenKahn - I'll blame my Scottish heritage - afterall, the Brits have a Scot as Prime Minister and he gets blamed for everything - so I'm in the clear for casting nasturtiums [another home grown one] on our Pommy friends, if not scot-free.

The reference was to a British TV show. I couldn't resist. "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" were broadcast here years ago and that was one of the lines that one of the main characters said over and over again.

Indeed. We call our Sir Humphreys 'fat cats'.

The oft-quoted line from Ian Richardson's character in The House of Cards, "You may very well think that: I couldn't possibly comment" comes to mind as apposite as well.

On the Pom or Pommy matter, in NZ, some people of (usually) English extraction seem to think that it is derogatory in any context, but I concur with farrermog's comment that it is how the expression is used that makes it either a derogatory term or one of endearment. Usually, a reference to someone as a "pommy bastard" will denote an adversely critical appraisal unless the tone of voice indicates otherwise. Being called a bastard doesn't matter -- referring to someone as a "good bastard" is a term of endearment or praise. I guess it's the same in Australia.

I think I was thinking of Sir Humphrey upon reviewing all these posts. In any event, I was being very obscure.

You know you're an Australian if ... you'll sling off at all the Kiwis invading Bondi, cohabiting with sheep, mistaking 6 for sex etc ... and roundly beat up any other National who dares say a word about them!

Yeah, Bokhara. And we'll stick up for youse in anything other than trans-Tasman rivalry as well -- especially if youse are playing against the Poms!

Oh Rob,

You have such a sweet way with words. We'd stick up for ewes too if you're playin the poms!

Hey Rob, One of my cousins married a girl from just outside Christchurch, so you can imagine the late night inter-family phone calls when we're playing each other!
We gang up on her parents: There's only 2 of them and 5 or 6 of us who helpfully keep them up to date with the score when we're winning.

It's quality, not quantity, that matters, mate (Except when it comes to sheep, Stormbird. There, we have it both ways!).

Looking forward to the showdown at the Gabba.

<<(Except when it comes to sheep, Stormbird. There, we have it both ways!)>>

Rob, I don't believe there's an Aussie alive who would argue with you on that one!

Oh, I just saw the reference to The Gabba. I went to an Australian rules football game there during my recent double home exchange in Australia. Brisbane won! I have a scarf I bought as a souvenir.