Is it or isn’t it? Is it just the way its said? Or does it depend on the combination of words that surround it?
In 2006 the Pom debate kicked off because of aTooheys ad . The ad should have been banned because it was so terrible, not because of the use Pom. Incidentally - when writing about the Tooheys ad, news.com.au used the headline; ‘Don’t call us Poms, say Poms’. That’s kind of provocative isn’t it?!
I’ve never met Pom that is offended by the word. It’s only when its used aggressively, or with a derogatory tone, or if its preceded by the words, “Fu*& off home you Fu*&ing”. This site uses the word. Its a good, quick way to describe a million Brits living in Australia.
The issue came to POMSTAR’s attention again recently as a result of an email from The Editor in Chief of NineMSN. He wrote to staff saying that the word Pom is “increasingly regarded as a racist term”.
The email read:
From: Hal Crawford
Sent: Monday, 6 August 2012 7:56 AM
To: Editorial
Subject: use of the word “pom”
Hi guys – please avoid “pom” unless it’s being quoted. It’s becoming increasingly regarded as a racist term.
Cheers
Hal
Its an interesting thought. What do you guys think?
