pom-pom
(ˈpɒmpɒm)
[Echoic.]
1. The name given during the South African war, 1899–1902, to the Maxim automatic quick-firing gun: see Maxim n.2 Also fig., and attrib. as pom-pom gun, pom-pom ammunition. In later use: any of various heavier guns, esp. if multi-barrelled or one of a group.
| 1899 Daily News 6 Dec. 5/4 Automatic guns, nicknamed pom-poms. Ibid. 26 Dec. 2/3 An automatic gun, which Tommy Atkins, with his aptitude for expressive phrases, promptly christened ‘Pom! Pom!’ 1900 Ibid. 5 Mar. 2/3 Near where the ‘pom-pom’ gun was placed, is the overflowing supply store. Ibid. 25 June 3/3 We secured a Hotchkiss gun, 500 rounds of pom-pom ammunition. 1902 Westm. Gaz. 27 Jan. 1/2 The fact..has never influenced him..towards a modification of his verbal pom-poms. 1916 ‘Boyd Cable’ Action Front 131 The muzzles of the two pounder pom-poms moved slowly after their target. 1940 ‘N. Shute’ Landfall vii. 175, I should think the multiple pom-poms would have got the machine. 1944 R.A.F. Jrnl. Aug. 272 (caption) Battleship..; carries forty pom-poms in multiple mountings. 1973 J. Quick Dict. Weapons 353/1 Pom-pom. 1. A rack of antiaircraft cannons, usually mounted in fours, as on the deck of a ship. 2. An automatic cannon. |
2. A representation of a repetitive sound, e.g. the beat of a popular tune or poem. Also pom-pom-pom, etc.
| 1909 Beerbohm Lett. to R. Turner (1964) 181 They have been re-printing Yet Again. Second impression ready within a few days. Pom-pom-pom. 1916 A. Huxley Let. 31 Mar. (1969) 95 Time percolates with a distressing rapidity through the coffee-machines of life... So you see, pom, pom, where we are?..as the old song says. 1945 W. Stevens Let. 26 Jan. (1967) 485 Many lines exist because I enjoy their clickety-clack in contrast with the more decorous pom-pom-pom that people expect. 1978 M. Kenyon Deep Pocket ix. 105 Pom pom pom pom pom, something sweet Willies. |
Hence ˈpom-pom v. intr., to fire a pom-pom; pom-ˈpomming vbl. n.
| 1901 ‘Linesman’ Words by Eyewitness vii. 147 Continuous sniping, pom-pomming, and occasional shelling. Ibid. ix. 191 Boers can fire shrapnel, Britons can pom⁓pom with the best. |