I believe that term "bommie" started
out as "bomb"--actually, "coral bomb"--
because, as described, they rise up
from the bottom toward the surface
in a manner reminiscent of the plume
of smoke that rises from a bomb blast.

The fun-loving Aussies--who turned
"barbeque" into "barbie"--gave it
their own inflection... and, that's
O.K. by me!

These are, indeed, gathering places for
all manner of ocean life--molluscs, too.
(Obligatory CONCH-L content.)


Bob Dayle

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.