Pompous Pom got very shorts shrift

WHILe serving as a purser in the Merchant Navy in the late 1950s, aden was a port of call. We were granted the privilege of using the royal Navy officers’ Club. one evening, well into our cups after imbibing at rock bottom duty-free prices, we were joined by a quartet of royal australian navy officers. our drunken banter was interrupted by a young, priggish royal Navy officer who looked as if there was a month-old dead kipper under his nose. addressing the australians, he declared: ‘I say you, chaps, dont’cha know the rule is no shorts in the bar after 18:00?’ Without a word, and in unison, the antipodeans placed their drinks on the bar, smiled at the snooty intruder, said ‘So sorry, mate!’, undid their shorts, let them fall to the deck, retrieved their drinks and continued the conversation that had been so rudely interrupted. exit one outraged, red-faced, pompous Pom!