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There are numerous theories about the origin of the term. Before the war, the term "digger" had been widely used in of words and phrases used by Australian personnel during the war, says that Digger was first used to mean a New Zealand or Australian soldier in 1916 . It appears to have become popular among New Zealand troops, before being adopted by Australians. The word was not in wide use amongst soldiers until 1917 . While New Zealanders would call each other "Digger", all other nationalities, including Australians, tended to call them " Kiwi s". The equivalent slang for a British soldier was "Tommy" from Tommy Atkins . However, while the Anzacs would happily refer to themselves as "Diggers", British soldiers generally resented being called "Tommy". Throughout Australia when one refers to "digger", one is referring to the Australian Army. Between 1998 and 2003, the term was used in the name of a team in the Victorian Football League , the Bendigo Diggers . This was partly in reference to Bendigo 's history as a centre of the Gold -mining industry. The team changed its nickname to "Bombers" when it became a feeder club for Essendon . In 2001 , Athletics Australia suggested that it would use "Diggers" as the Nickname of the Australian Athletics team. The proposal was withdrawn after a public outcry and protest from the RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia). John Campbell Ross (born March 11 1899 ) is the last surviving Digger from World War I. SEE ALSO REFERENCES
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