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Why are Americans called Yanks and British people called Poms?

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I think everyone's got the yank covered. I know it was originally only the northerners during the civil war, but in Australia the path of least resistance is to use the shortest possible word. If we said United states of American, you'd be finished your holiday and on the plane home before we spat that one out. Pommies. read more

For many years, the standard answer to why the British were called poms was that, either: crates from England were stamped P.O.H.M, Property of His Majesty, or: Prisoners wore shirts with the label P.O.M.E, Prisoner of Mother England. read more

Australians are called "Aussies" because of the name Australia; New Zealanders are called "Kiwis" because their national bird is the kiwi; French people are called "Frogs" because of their famous dish of frogs legs and Americans are called "Yanks" because during the American Civil War one of the armies were called the Yankees. read more

Only the Australians and New Zealanders call British people poms. Your average British immigrant newly arrived in the Antipodes is not used to the strong and abundant sunshine of his new home. So his originally white skins burns badly, and the poor fellow rapidly turns red like an apple. read more