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{{Short description|Decorative ball or tuft of fibrous material}}
]
{{For|the gun|Pom-pom gun (disambiguation){{!}}Pom-pom (disambiguation)#Military|QF 1-pounder pom-pom}}
{{Other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2017}}


]
], ]]]
A '''pom-pom''' – also spelled '''pom-pon''', '''pompom''' or '''pompon''' – is a decorative ball or tuft of fibrous material.


The term may refer to large tufts used by ], or a small, tighter ball attached to the top of a hat, also known as a ] or ].
'''Pom-Pon''': A "prop" of sorts used in the sport of ] for a variety of reasons including attracting the attention of a crowd, accentuating movements, distracting an opposing team (though in very limited fashion and never in an unsportsmanlike manner), and adding an element of sparkle to a cheer, chant or cheer/dance routine, especially at Cheer competitions. Most often, ''Pom-pons'' are used in pairs (one for each hand) by each ], but this may vary based on the particular requirements and choreography of a routine or cheer.


Pom-poms may come in many colours, sizes, and varieties and are made from a wide array of materials, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and occasionally ]s. Pom-poms are shaken by ]s, pom or ], and sports fans during ]s.
]


==Etymology and spelling==
While much of popular culture, including movies, non-cheer-specialized entertainment sources and general laypeople will use and have for a very long time used the term "pom-pom," this term is not correct and experienced cheerleaders, coaches, cheer equipment suppliers and manufacturers and others involved in the sport almost universally use the proper term "''Pom-pon''" and thus ''Pom-pons'' is seen in the majority of professional sources. Often, ''Pom-pons'' are referred to simply as "Poms."
''Pom-pom'', also called a ''pom'' or ''cheerleading pom'', is derived from the French word ''pompon'', which refers to a small decorative ball made of fabric or feathers. It also means an "ornamental round tuft" and originally refers to its use on a hat, or an "ornamental tuft; tuft-like flower head."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pompom&allowed_in_frame=0|title=Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref>


*'']'' (1961) gives the spelling as "pompon."
'''Pom-pons''' come in a variety of shapes, styles, colors, color combinations and sizes. Of particular note is the emerging variation in handles used by many manufacturers. Metallic (shiny) ''Poms'' have become very popular in recent years, as have cheaper look-alike poms that are often given to spectators at games. (Not to say "cheaper" in a negative fashion - they are a cost-effective way to equip fans, which in turn assists cheerleaders in leading crowds.)
*The '']'' (third edition, 2010) gives the spelling as "pom-pom."
Pom-pons are also used sometimes in the enjoyment and learning of small children, as they like things that shine, and the fact that pom-pons are made of strings also renders them as a choking hazard.
*The '']'' (5th edition, 2011) gives the spelling as "pompom" or "pompon."
*''Webster's New World College Dictionary'' (fourth edition) gives the spelling as "pompom."


==Sports and cheerleading==
] pom-poms]]
]


Cheerleading innovator ] received a patent for the pom-pom and his original patent application, for which he called the invention ''pom-pon'', mentioned that they were made out of crepe paper or other similar material.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Herkimer |first1=Lawrence R |title=Patent 3,560,313 for POM PON |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US3560313A/en |publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office |date=1968-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Branch |first1=John |title=Shaking Pompoms for the Grandfather of Modern Cheerleading |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/sports/ncaabasketball/15cheer.html |work=New York Times}}</ref> Since then pom-poms have been made of plastic but mylar (also called ]) has become increasingly popular in recent years.<ref name="scpg">{{cite web |title=Poms |url=https://www.superiorcheer.com/pages/pom.html |website=Superior Cheer|date=6 June 2019 }}{{unreliable source?|date=October 2024}}</ref>
⚫ ]


Cheerleading pom-poms come in a variety of shapes, styles, colors, color combinations, and sizes. The most common size, the {{convert|6|in|adj=on|spell=in}} works most age groups or performance type. This size can be used for dance teams, pom squads, cheerleaders, and majorettes, easily making it the most versatile strand length on the market.<ref name="SuperiorCheer-Blog">{{cite web |title=Size Matters: Pom Edition |url=https://blog.superiorcheer.com/2017/06/size-matters-pom-edition.html |website=Superior Cheer Blog}}{{unreliable source?|date=October 2024}}</ref> The second most common size, the {{convert|5|in|adj=on|spell=in}}, is adequate for any age group or performance type, but the marginally shorter strands provide the necessary flash while acting more as an accent to the uniform.<ref name="SuperiorCheer-Blog" />


Pom-poms are also waved by sports fans, primarily at college and high school sports events in the United States. These inexpensive, light-weight ''faux'' pom-poms, or rooter poms, typically come in team colors, are sometimes given away or sold to spectators at such events.<ref name="SuperiorCheer-Blog" />
{{cheerleading-stub}}

])]]

==Clothing==
===Toorie===
In reference to ] ] and Scottish military uniforms, the small pom-pom on the crown of such hats as the ], the ], and the ] is called a "toorie."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Toorie definition and meaning {{!}} Collins English Dictionary|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/toorie|access-date=2021-05-23|website=www.collinsdictionary.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Conaboy|first=Kelly|title=Why do we all have balls on our hats?|url=https://theoutline.com/post/868/why-do-we-all-have-pom-pom-balls-on-our-hats|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Outline|language=en}}</ref>

The toorie is generally made of yarn and is traditionally red on both Balmorals and Glengarries (although specific units have used other colours).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Toorie. {{!}} Scottish Words Illustrated|url=https://stooryduster.co.uk/scottish-word/toorie/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=stooryduster.co.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> It has evolved into the smaller pom-pom found on older-style ] and the button atop ]s.

The word toorie is used for any such hat decoration in the ], irrespective of the headgear.

==Toys and bicycles==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}
{{see|Weepul}}
Pom-poms are sometimes used as children's toys. They are a common feature at the ends of the handlebars of children's ]s and ]s. They are also used in children's artistic crafts to add texture and color.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
Finger pom poms (8399154868).jpg|Finger pom poms
Adelaide cheer squad.1.jpg|Fans waving floggers behind the goals to signify that a goal was scored.
Shako-p1000580.jpg|] dating from the ] with a red company pompon.
EvzoneTsarouhiKaltsodetes.jpg|Greek Presidential Guard shoes.
Pom poms multiple colours.jpg|Pile of pom-poms used for children's crafts.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

⚫ ]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:02, 14 October 2024

Decorative ball or tuft of fibrous material For the gun, see Pom-pom (disambiguation)#Military and QF 1-pounder pom-pom. For other uses, see Pom-pom (disambiguation).
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Pom-pom" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Pom-poms are mainly used to cheer for sports.
Three cheerleaders dancing with pom-poms in Tokyo, Japan

A pom-pom – also spelled pom-pon, pompom or pompon – is a decorative ball or tuft of fibrous material.

The term may refer to large tufts used by cheerleaders, or a small, tighter ball attached to the top of a hat, also known as a bobble or toorie.

Pom-poms may come in many colours, sizes, and varieties and are made from a wide array of materials, including wool, cotton, paper, plastic, thread, glitter and occasionally feathers. Pom-poms are shaken by cheerleaders, pom or dance teams, and sports fans during spectator sports.

Etymology and spelling

Pom-pom, also called a pom or cheerleading pom, is derived from the French word pompon, which refers to a small decorative ball made of fabric or feathers. It also means an "ornamental round tuft" and originally refers to its use on a hat, or an "ornamental tuft; tuft-like flower head."

Sports and cheerleading

A pair of cheerleading pom-poms
Cheerleaders using pom-poms to spell out letters

Cheerleading innovator Lawrence Herkimer received a patent for the pom-pom and his original patent application, for which he called the invention pom-pon, mentioned that they were made out of crepe paper or other similar material. Since then pom-poms have been made of plastic but mylar (also called BoPET) has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Cheerleading pom-poms come in a variety of shapes, styles, colors, color combinations, and sizes. The most common size, the six-inch (150 mm) works most age groups or performance type. This size can be used for dance teams, pom squads, cheerleaders, and majorettes, easily making it the most versatile strand length on the market. The second most common size, the five-inch (130 mm), is adequate for any age group or performance type, but the marginally shorter strands provide the necessary flash while acting more as an accent to the uniform.

Pom-poms are also waved by sports fans, primarily at college and high school sports events in the United States. These inexpensive, light-weight faux pom-poms, or rooter poms, typically come in team colors, are sometimes given away or sold to spectators at such events.

Pom-poms are also used by some dance teams. (University of California, Berkeley)

Clothing

Toorie

In reference to Scottish Highland dress and Scottish military uniforms, the small pom-pom on the crown of such hats as the Balmoral, the Glengarry, and the Tam o' Shanter is called a "toorie."

The toorie is generally made of yarn and is traditionally red on both Balmorals and Glengarries (although specific units have used other colours). It has evolved into the smaller pom-pom found on older-style golf caps and the button atop baseball caps.

The word toorie is used for any such hat decoration in the Scots language, irrespective of the headgear.

Toys and bicycles

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Further information: Weepul

Pom-poms are sometimes used as children's toys. They are a common feature at the ends of the handlebars of children's tricycles and bicycles. They are also used in children's artistic crafts to add texture and color.

Gallery

  • Finger pom poms Finger pom poms
  • Fans waving floggers behind the goals to signify that a goal was scored. Fans waving floggers behind the goals to signify that a goal was scored.
  • Shako dating from the Bourbon Restoration with a red company pompon. Shako dating from the Bourbon Restoration with a red company pompon.
  • Greek Presidential Guard shoes. Greek Presidential Guard shoes.
  • Pile of pom-poms used for children's crafts. Pile of pom-poms used for children's crafts.

References

  1. "Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com.
  2. Herkimer, Lawrence R (1968-09-17). "Patent 3,560,313 for POM PON". United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  3. Branch, John. "Shaking Pompoms for the Grandfather of Modern Cheerleading". New York Times.
  4. "Poms". Superior Cheer. 6 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Size Matters: Pom Edition". Superior Cheer Blog.
  6. "Toorie definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  7. Conaboy, Kelly. "Why do we all have balls on our hats?". The Outline. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  8. "Toorie. | Scottish Words Illustrated". stooryduster.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
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